Reading
/ˈriːdɪŋ/noun
The act of interpreting written or printed words, or the material that is read.
Did you know?The English word ultimately comes from a Germanic root meaning “to advise or interpret,” which is why reading was once closer to *interpretation* than silent study.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₃reǵ-
“to straighten, direct, or rule”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*rēdaz
“counsel, advice, interpretation”
Old English
OE
rǣdan
“to advise, interpret, explain; later also to read”
Middle English
English
reden / redene
“to interpret or read written words”
Modern English
English
reading
“the act of reading; material that is read”