From Old Norse (13th century), from Proto-Indo-European '*agh-' ("to be afraid, to be distressed"), from PIE *agh- ("to be afraid, to be distressed").
A feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder; an overwhelming sense of admiration or dread.
From Middle English 'aȝe,' from Old Norse 'agi' (terror, fright), from Proto-Germanic '*agiz' (fear, terror), from PIE root *agh- (to be afraid, to be distressed). The original meaning was pure terror — medieval English used 'awe' to describe the dread one felt before God or a powerful king. The shift from 'terror' to 'wonder mixed with reverence' happened gradually