1. Proto-Indo-European root "wĺ̥kʷos":
This root is believed to be the ultimate source of the word "wolf" in multiple languages across the Indo-European language family. It's thought to have an onomatopoeic origin, resembling the sound a wolf makes.
2. Old English "wulf":
The Old English word "wulf" is directly derived from the Proto-Indo-European root mentioned above. It was used in Anglo-Saxon England and later became "wolf" in Modern English.
3. Old Norse "ulfr":
In Norse mythology, "ulfr" was the name for the wolf, particularly Fenrir, a monstrous wolf who was one of the sons of the trickster god Loki. The word "ulfr" also contributed to the development of the English word "wolf."
4. Germanic languages:
The Proto-Germanic word for wolf was "*wulfaz*." This word evolved into forms such as "wulf" in Old English and "wolf" in Modern English.
5. Celtic languages:
The Celtic languages also have words for wolf that share similar etymological roots. For example, in Old Irish, the word was "*cu*" and in Welsh, it was "*blaidd*."
It's important to note that the exact origin and evolution of the word "wolf" may have involved multiple influences and sound shifts over time. These etymological explanations provide some of the possible linguistic roots of the word in various languages.