1. Proto-Germanic: The word "man" can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root "*mann-," which meant "man, human being, male person." This root is believed to have originated from Proto-Indo-European "*manu-," which denotes "human being" and is found in various languages across Europe and beyond.
2. Old English: In Old English, the word "mann" was used with similar meanings to its Proto-Germanic ancestor, encompassing concepts such as "man, human being, male individual." It also developed specific meanings related to adulthood, authority, and social roles, and it was contrasted with "wif" (woman).
3. Germanic Languages: The Proto-Germanic "*mann-" root gave rise to similar words in other Germanic languages, including "Mann" in German, "man" in Dutch and Frisian, "man" or "mand" in Scandinavian languages, and "mon" or "maður" in Icelandic and Faroese.
4. Romance Languages: In Romance languages, such as French and Spanish, the word "man" comes from the Latin word "homo," which carries the meaning of "human being" or "mankind." The term "vir," which denotes "adult male," also had some influence in shaping the word for man in these languages.
5. Other European Languages: The Proto-Indo-European root "*manu-" can also be found in languages outside the Germanic and Romance families, such as "manu" in Sanskrit (India), "men" in Old Church Slavonic (Slavic languages), and "mon" or "anthropos" in Greek (ancient and modern).
In conclusion, the word "man" can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European "*manu-" root, which meant "human being." It took on specific meanings and nuances as it evolved in various Germanic, Romance, and other European languages, resulting in the word we use today to denote an adult male human individual.