The term “trust” comes from the Old Norse word “traust,” which means “confidence” or “protection.” This is derived from the Proto-Germanic root “*trautaz,” meaning “believed” or “faithful.”
1. Proto-Indo-European (PIE)
The PIE root “*deru-” means “to be firm” or “solid.”
2. Proto-Germanic
From the PIE root, the Proto-Germanic word “*trautaz” developed, meaning “believed” or “faithful.”
3. Old Norse (c. 8th to 14th century CE)
The Proto-Germanic “*trautaz” evolved into Old Norse “traust,” meaning “confidence” or “protection.”
4. Old English (c. 5th to 11th century CE)
The Old Norse “traust” was adopted into Old English as “treowð,” meaning “faith” or “loyalty.”
5. Middle English (c. 11th to 15th century CE)
The Old English “treowð” evolved into Middle English “trust,” meaning “reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, or surety of a person or thing.”
6. Modern English (from 15th century CE to present)
The term “trust” evolved into its current form and pronunciation, retaining the meaning of “firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.”
Phonetic Evolution
Over time, the pronunciation of “trust” changed to its current form.
Usage Examples
- “Trust is essential in any relationship.”
- “Another example of ‘trust’ in a sentence is ‘He placed his trust in her judgment.'”
Cultural or Historical Notes
The development of the word “trust” was significantly influenced by societal values that emphasized reliability and faith in others, contributing to its current meaning and usage.
The word “trust” reflects the quality of having confidence in the reliability, truth, or strength of someone or something, emphasizing the importance of faith and reliance in human interactions and relationships.