Old English:
* The word "strong" comes directly from the Old English word "strang", which meant "strong, firm, tight".
Proto-Germanic:
* This Old English word is ultimately derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*strank-", which had a similar meaning.
Indo-European:
* Going further back, the Proto-Germanic word is thought to have originated from the Proto-Indo-European root "*strenk-", which meant "to draw tight, stretch, bind".
Meaning Evolution:
* The word "strong" has evolved over time, shifting from its original meaning of "tight" or "bound" to encompass concepts like physical strength, power, and intensity.
Interesting Note:
* The word "strong" is related to other English words like "strain" and "string", which share the same Indo-European root and carry similar concepts of tension and force.
In summary, the word "strong" has a long and rich history that traces back thousands of years to a common ancestor in the Proto-Indo-European language. It has evolved over time, but its core meaning of force and strength remains consistent.