Definition of the word give away

The phrase "give away" has been a part of the English language for centuries, and its origins can be traced back to Old English. In Old English, the expression was "gefan", which consisted of two separate words: "ge" meaning "a" or "to" and "fānam" meaning "permanently place". This phrase essentially meant "to permanently place" or "to permanently assign". Over time, the meaning of the phrase changed as the English language evolved. In Middle English, "gefan" transformed into "geven awen", where "awen" meant "a present". This new expression conveyed the idea of "to present as a gift" or "to provide as a gift". The phrase "give away" as we know it today can be traced back to Early Modern English, where it was spelled "gyve awey". This spelling was a result of the Great Vowel Shift, which distorted the pronunciation of Old English vowels. The first part of the phrase, "give", is a holdover from Middle English, while "away" is a more modern addition that reflects the modern English pronunciation of "awen". The meaning of "give away" has remained consistent over time, with the phrase still denoting the act of presenting something as a gift, often without expecting anything in return. Despite its rich history, the expression remains a familiar and commonly used phrase in contemporary English.