helpmeet

Where does the word "helpmeet" come from? It comes from Hebrew ʿēzer kənegdô, passing through English before entering English (1670s).

Helpmeet’s story begins in Hebrew: ʿēzer kənegdô meant “a fitting helper.” Genesis 2:18, God's promise to make Adam 'a helper corresponding to him'. By 1611, the word had taken hold in English as an help meet for him. The King James Bible's wording, where 'meet' is an adjective meaning 'suitable'. It reached English by 1670s as helpmeet. Readers ran 'help meet' together into one noun meaning 'wife', and it was then altered to 'helpmate'. Today, helpmeet means a helpful companion or partner, especially a wife.

1. Stage 1 · Hebrew · ancient ʿēzer kənegdô "a fitting helper", Genesis 2:18, God's promise to make Adam 'a helper corresponding to him'.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1611 an help meet for him "a suitable helper", the King James Bible's wording, where 'meet' is an adjective meaning 'suitable'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1670s helpmeet "helper, spouse", readers ran 'help meet' together into one noun meaning 'wife', and it was then altered to 'helpmate'.