Such
/sʌtʃ/noun
Of this or that kind; used to indicate a degree or type.
Did you know?“Such” goes back to a Proto-Germanic demonstrative meaning “so, in this way,” showing how a tiny pointing word evolved into one of English’s most powerful intensifiers.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*so- / *seh₂-
“Demonstrative base meaning “this, that” or “so.””
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*swa-
““So, in this way.””
Old English
English
swylċ
““Such, of this kind.””
Middle English
English
such
““Of that kind; of that degree.””
Modern English
English
such
“Used to indicate a kind, degree, or example.”