English
rightful
Rightful comes from Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵ- ‘to righten’.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₃reǵ-‘to righten’root as named
- Old Englishc. 450–1150*rihtfullreconstructed
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500rightful
- Englishearliest quotation 2022same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₃reǵ-‘to righten’root as named
- Old Englishc. 450–1150*rihtfullreconstructed
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500rightful
- Englishearliest quotation 2022same form
Earliest quotation: 2022, Robert Alexander, What 2020’s pro-Trump phony electors means for 2024: “Among other things, the ECA requires that if Congress…”
Formed from right + -ful
Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵ- ‘to straighten’
…
Proto-Germanic *rehtaz ‘right’
Proto-West Germanic *reht ‘straight’
Old English reht
Middle English reȝt
English right
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵ- ‘to righten’
real, director, source, region, direction, address, direct, royal, correct, regular, dress, rule, rich, rank, regime, arrangement, roy, radar, arrange, rack, ana, rex, rogue, resurrection, regulate, interrogation, raj, erect, regent, rake, rector, regal, regency, insurrection, rectify, anorexia, upright, rani, rectum, rajah, 106 more
Today it means
adj By right; by law.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵ- / rightful