seven
The number 7; one more than six.
Etymology
From Old English seofon, from Proto-Germanic *sebun. This traces to PIE *septm̥ meaning "seven." The p was lost in Germanic, replaced by a labial b. The Latin form septum is preserved in English "September" (originally the seventh month).
The Journey: *septm̥ → seven
*septm̥
*sebun
seofon
seven
Cognates Across Languages
These words in other languages descend from the same PIE root *septm̥. They are not borrowings but independent inheritances from a common ancestor.
| Language | Word |
|---|---|
| Greek | heptá |
| Latin | septem |
| Armenian | ewtn |
| Sanskrit | saptá |
| Old Irish | secht |
| Lithuanian | septyni |
Did You Know?
September was originally the seventh month in the Roman calendar (before January and February were added). The Greek form heptá gave "heptagon" (seven-sided shape).
This word descends from the Proto-Indo-European root *septm̥. See the full root page for descendant trees, sound law references, and scholarly discussion.