Sister
/ˈsɪs.tər/noun
A female sibling.
Did you know?In many ancient cultures, the bond of sisterhood was believed to invoke protective spirits, emphasizing the sacredness of female kinship.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*swésōr
“A term for a female sibling, emphasizing familial bonds.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀδελφή (adelphē)
“A female sibling or sister, often used in a context of close kinship.”
Old English
Old English
sweoster
“A female sibling, derived from the PIE root, maintaining the same meaning.”
Middle English
Middle English
suster
“The term evolved while retaining its reference to female siblings.”
Modern English
English
sister
“The contemporary term for a female sibling, still holding its ancient connotations of kinship and connection.”