one

Where does the word "one" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic ainaz, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

One’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: ainaz meant “one.” Cognate with Latin 'ūnus'. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as ān. 'a' and 'an' are worn-down forms of it; 'only', 'alone' and 'atone' (at one) contain it. It reached English by 1500s as one. The 'w' sound in its pronunciation spread from a south-western dialect in the 1400s. Today, one means the number 1.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient ainaz "one", cognate with Latin 'ūnus'.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s ān "one", 'a' and 'an' are worn-down forms of it; 'only', 'alone' and 'atone' (at one) contain it.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s one "one", the 'w' sound in its pronunciation spread from a south-western dialect in the 1400s.