What is the origin of word kill?

The word "kill" has a long and fascinating history, with its roots tracing back to Old English.

Here's a breakdown of its etymology:

* Old English: "cwellan"

* Middle English: "killen"

* Modern English: "kill"

The Old English word "cwellan" meant "to kill, slay, destroy, put to death." This word ultimately derives from the Proto-Germanic word "*kwellaną," which also meant "to kill."

It's interesting to note that "kill" is related to the German word "quälen" (meaning "to torture"), highlighting the shared Germanic origins of the words.

So, the word "kill" has been around for centuries, evolving through various stages of the English language, and its origins ultimately point to a shared Germanic root that signified the act of taking a life.