Definition of grieve

The word "grieve" originates from the Middle English word "grievien," which emerged around the 14th century. The root of the word comes from the Old Norse "grjófa," which means "to cry." The Old Norse word later evolved into the Old English word "gregan," which meant "to mourn" or "to cry out." The Old English word "gregan" itself has Germanic roots, with the prefix "gre-" meaning "to cry" or "to cry out," and the suffix "-an" conveying the meaning of "crying out for." From there, the Old Germanic word "gregan" passed through Old Norse, eventually making its way to Old English and then to Middle English, where it became "grievien." Over time, the meaning of "grievien" evolved to include not just crying, but the act of mourning and feeling sorrow. By the 17th century, the word had taken on its current meaning, which is defined as "to feel deep sorrow, pain, or regret."