Paw
/pɔː/noun
The foot of an animal with claws, especially a mammal.
Did you know?English paw is a very old Germanic word, and its deep relatives include Latin pes and Greek pous, the same ancient root behind words like pedestrian and podium.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*peḱ- / *pōd-
“A reconstructed ancient root for the foot or stepping, depending on the branch”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*pōwō / *pēwō
“Foot or paw; the form is uncertain but points to an inherited Germanic animal-foot word”
Old English
OE
paga / pawe
“A paw or animal foot”
Middle English
ME
paw
“The foot of a beast, especially one with claws or pads”
Modern English
English
paw
“The foot of an animal with claws, especially a mammal”
Explore more surprising origins