read

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

Read’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: rēdaną meant “to advise.” Meant to advise or interpret. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as rǣdan. Meant to advise, interpret or solve a riddle before it meant reading letters; 'Æthelred the Unready' was 'ill-advised'. It reached English by 1500s as read. 'riddle' comes from the same verb. Today, read means to look at and understand written words.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient rēdaną "to advise", meant to advise or interpret.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s rǣdan "to advise, read", meant to advise, interpret or solve a riddle before it meant reading letters; 'Æthelred the Unready' was 'ill-advised'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s read "to read", 'riddle' comes from the same verb.