PIE *weidh「分ける」から、語源的にはwidow「共に」「分ける」と同じ、すなわち「分ける」「広い」、さらに*dwi「2つ」から、語源的にはdi-「2つ」、*dhe「置く」から、語源的にはdo「置く」、cred-「心」「信頼」と同じ。すなわち、両側に置かれる、分離される。
英語の語源
wide
wide: [OE] Wide is a general Germanic word, with relatives in German weit, Dutch wijd, and Swedish and Danish vid. All are descended from prehistoric Germanic *wīdaz, which may go back ultimately to the Indo-European base *wi- ‘apart, away’ (source also of Sanskrit vitarám ‘further’). Width was coined in the early 17th century, probably on the analogy of breadth.
wide (adj.)
Old English wid "vast, broad, long," also used of time, from Proto-Germanic *widaz (cognates: Old Saxon, Old Frisian wid, Old Norse vier, Dutch wijd, Old High German wit, German weit), perhaps from PIE *wi-ito-, from root *wi- "apart, away, in half."
Meaning "distended, expanded, spread apart" is from c. 1500; sense of "embracing many subjects" is from 1530s; meaning "missing the intended target" is from 1580s. As a second element in compounds (such as nationwide, worldwide) meaning "extending through the whole of," is is from late Old English. As an adverb, Old English wide. Wide open "unguarded, exposed to attack" (1915) originally was in boxing, etc. Wide awake (adj.) is first recorded 1818; figurative sense of "alert, knowing" is attested from 1833.
例文
1. There is a wide veranda under the overhang of the roof.
つるされた屋根の下には広い回廊が広がっている。
2.As pope he won wide support for his strict orthodoxy.
法王として正統な教義を厳守し、幅広い支持を得ている。
3.The wide road was blocked solid with traffic that moved along sluggishly.
広い道路はゆっくりと進む車でしっかりと塞がれている。
4.Leo went on,his dark eyes wide with pity and concern.
レオは続けて言うと、彼の黒い目は哀れみと思いやりに満ちて大きくにらんだ。
5.He is a cultured man with a wide circle of friends.