Wave
/weɪv/noun
A moving ridge on the surface of water or a similar periodic motion or signal.
Did you know?English wave is historically linked to old Germanic words meaning to move back and forth or fluctuate, which is why the same root family also gave us ideas of weaving, wavering, and even turning something over.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*weǵʰ-
“to move, carry, or go”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*wabjaną
“to wave, sway, or move to and fro”
Old English
English
wæfan
“to wave, fluctuate, or move back and forth”
Middle English
English
waven
“to move from side to side; to brandish”
Modern English
English
wave
“a moving ridge on water; a sweeping motion or signal”