Definition of the word our

The word "our" has a rich history dating back to Old English. It originated from the Proto-Germanic word "*aus", which was derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*āwi-", meaning "owned" or "belonging to". This root is also seen in other languages, such as Sanskrit's "avī-" and Latin's "āvus", both meaning "of" or "belonging to". In Old English, the word "our" was spelled "ūr" and was used to indicate possession or belonging, as seen in phrases like "ūr land" (our land) or "ūr hus" (our house). Over time, the spelling changed to "our" and the word has remained largely unchanged in Modern English, with its primary function being to show ownership or possession. Despite its evolution, the word "our" retains its ancient roots and continues to play an essential role in the English language.