Definition of the word without

The word "without" has a rich history dating back to Old English. It is derived from two words: "wit" (meaning "counsel" or "knowledge") and "hāt" (meaning "without"). In Old English, the word was spelled "wiþout" and meant "free from" or "released from". Over time, the spelling changed to "without" and its meaning expanded to include "not having" or "in the absence of". By the Middle English period (circa 1100-1500), the word was used to indicate separation, removal, or exclusion. For example, "without a hat" meant "without a hat on". Today, "without" is a common preposition used to indicate the absence of something, as in "without a doubt" or "without fail". Its origins are a testament to the evolution of the English language and its connections to Old English and Germanic roots.