us

Definition

Me and at least one other person, excluding the person(s) being addressed. (exclusive us.)

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *n̥smé Proto-Germanic *uns Old English ūs Middle English us English us From Middle English us, from Old English ūs (“us”, dative personal pronoun), from Proto-West Germanic *uns, from Proto-Germanic *uns (“us”), from Proto-Indo-European *n̥swé, alteration of *n̥smé (“us”). The compensatory lengthening was lost in Middle English due to the word being unstressed when used. Cognate with Saterland Frisian uus (“us”), West Frisian us, ús (“us”), Low German uns, us (“us”), Dutch ons (“us”), German uns (“us”), Danish os (“us”), Latin nōs (“we, us”).

Example Sentences

• "Don't treat us like idiots."
• "Let's ask him if he'll give us a lift."
• "Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us..."

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