Etymograph

English

Holy Cross

Holy Cross comes from Middle English Holy Crosse.

  1. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500Holy Crosse
  2. EnglishtodayHoly Cross

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Lineage

  1. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500Holy Crosse
  2. EnglishtodayHoly Cross

Formed from holy + cross

Proto-Indo-European *kéh₂ilos ‘intact’

…

Proto-Germanic *hailagaz ‘holy’

Proto-West Germanic *hailag ‘holy’

Old English hāleġ ‘holy’

Middle English ali

English holy

Latin crux ‘cross, gallows’

Old Irish cros

Old Norse kross

Old English cros ‘rood, cross’

Middle English cross ‘a cross’

English cross

Today it means

name The historical cross on which Christ died.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Middle English Holy Crosse / Holy Cross