rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: ænig
Old English

ænig

any or anyone

Forms

  • ænig
  • any — The ending weakened and the spelling changed.

Origin

Formed within the Old English family of an, “one,” with a descriptive ending.

Note

The history connects an unspecified choice with the idea of one member.

3 / 5
Traveler with small backpack stands at crossroads with paths branching toward mountains coast city and forest, all options open, any location.
adverb

anyplace

EN-ee-place/ˈenipleɪs/

In, at, or to any location.

Etymology
anyOld Englishany or anyone
+placeLatincourtyard, open space, broad way

Place developed from an open space or broad way into a general word for a location. Any removes the restriction to a particular location, yielding “wherever” or “to any location.”

Full entry

Related word entries