h₂ōwyóm (Proto-Indo-European)

Where does "h₂ōwyóm" come from?

The Proto-Indo-European noun '*h₂ōwyóm', meaning 'egg'[1], is likely a vṛddhi derivative of the Proto-Indo-European word '*h₂éwis', which means 'bird'[1][2]. Some scholars have argued that this morphological derivation is unlikely[1]. Additionally, it has been proposed that '*h₂éwis' and '*h₂ówis' meaning 'sheep' are related, both stemming from a root meaning 'dress, be dressed, clothe oneself'[2]. Under this view, '*h₂éwis' would mean 'the one who is clothed in feathers'[2].

Open questions

• The derivation of '*h₂ōwyóm' as a vṛddhi formation from '*h₂éwis' has been argued by some scholars to be morphologically unlikely. [1]
• The connection between '*h₂éwis' and '*h₂ówis' originating from a shared root meaning 'dress, be dressed, clothe oneself' is a proposal by Pooth. [2]

Full etymology tree

• *h₂ōwyóm (Proto-Indo-European), 'egg'
  • derived *h₂éwis (Proto-Indo-European), 'bird'
    • derived *h₂ew- (Proto-Indo-European), 'to enjoy'
  • suffix *-ōyóm (Proto-Indo-European)

Sources

1. h₂ōwyóm (Proto-Indo-European) - Wiktionary
2. h₂éwis (Proto-Indo-European) - Wiktionary

Updated August 2026

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Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris