English
same
Same comes from Middle English same, from Old Norse samr ‘same’ and/or Old English same, both from Proto-Germanic *samaz ‘same’, and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *somHós ‘same’.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*somHós‘same’reconstructed
- Proto-Germanicc. 500 BCE–200 CE*samaz‘same’reconstructed
- Old Norsec. 800–1350samr‘same’uncertain
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same
- Englishearliest quotation c. 1603–1606same
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed deepest recorded ancestor
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*somHós‘same’reconstructed
- Proto-Germanicc. 500 BCE–200 CE*samaz‘same’reconstructed
- Old Norsec. 800–1350samr‘same’uncertain
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same
- Englishearliest quotation c. 1603–1606same
Earliest quotation: c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, The Tragedie of King Lear: “King Lear: This is a dull sight. Are you…”
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *sem- ‘together, one’
some, single, similar, seem, simple, simply, soft, simulation, sincerely, singular, resemble, sam, assemble, resemblance, simultaneous, anomaly, simulate, sincerity, semblance, assimilate, anomalous, synapse, insincere, hyphen, simile, simulacrum, sempre, synchronise, 46 more
through Proto-Indo-European *somHós
Today it means
adj Not different or other; not another or others; not different as regards self; selfsame; identical.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *somHós / same