health

英文词源

health

health: [OE] Etymologically, health is the ‘state of being whole’. The word was formed in prehistoric Germanic times from the adjective *khailaz, ancestor of modern English whole. To this was added the abstract noun suffix *-itha, producing *khailitha, whence English health. The verb heal [OE] comes from the same source.
=> heal, whole

health (n.)

Old English hælþ "wholeness, a being whole, sound or well," from Proto-Germanic *hailitho, from PIE *kailo- "whole, uninjured, of good omen" (cognates: Old English hal "hale, whole;" Old Norse heill "healthy;" Old English halig, Old Norse helge "holy, sacred;" Old English hælan "to heal"). With Proto-Germanic abstract noun suffix *-itho (see -th (2)). Of physical health in Middle English, but also "prosperity, happiness, welfare; preservation, safety." An abstract noun to whole, not to heal. Meaning "a salutation" (in a toast, etc.) wishing one welfare or prosperity is from 1590s. Health food is from 1848.