English
harmful
Harmful comes from Middle English harmful, and goes back to Old English *hearmful.
- Old Englishc. 450–1150*hearmfulreconstructed
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500harmful
- Englishtodaysame form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Old Englishc. 450–1150*hearmfulreconstructed
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500harmful
- Englishtodaysame form
Formed from harm + -ful
Proto-Germanic *harmaz ‘harm’
Proto-West Germanic *harm ‘harm’
Old English hearm ‘harm, injury’
Middle English harm ‘harm’
English harm
Every English word from Old English *hearmful
Today it means
adj Causing or likely to cause harm or damage; injurious.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old English *hearmful / harmful