From PIE *preyH- (to love) — freedom originally meant belonging to the circle of loved ones, not being a captive stranger.
Not under the control or in the power of another; able to act or be done as one wishes; not imprisoned or enslaved.
From Old English 'frēo,' from Proto-Germanic *frijaz, from PIE *priH-os, meaning 'dear, beloved,' from the root *preyH- (to love). The word originally meant 'belonging to the loved ones' — that is, a member of the household or tribe, as opposed to a slave or captive. Freedom, at its etymological root, was
The word 'friend' comes from the same PIE root as 'free' — Proto-Germanic *frijōndz meant 'one who loves,' a present participle of *frijōną (to love). And the goddess Frigg (Norse goddess of love and marriage), after whom Friday is named, also shares this root. Freedom, friendship, and love are etymological siblings
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