Word Origin & History
warmO.E. wearm, from P.Gmc. *warmaz (cf. O.S., O.Fris., M.Du., O.H.G., Ger. warm, O.N. varmr, Goth. warmjan "to warm"), from PIE *gwher- (cf. Skt. gharmah "heat;" O.Pers. Garmapada-, name of the fourth month, corresponding to June/July, from garma- "heat;" Arm. jerm "warm;" Gk. thermos "warm;" L. formus
"warm," fornax "oven;" O.Ir. fogeir "heated;" Hitt. war- "to burn"). The root also may be connected to that of O.C.S. goriti "to burn," varu "heat," variti "to cook, boil;" and Lith. verdu "to seethe." The distinction, based on degree of heat, between "warm" and "hot" is general in Balto-Slavic and Gmc., but in other languages one word often covers both (cf. L. calidus, Gk. thermos, Fr. chaud, Sp. caliente). In reference to feelings, etc., attested from c.1480. Sense in guessing games first recorded 1860, from earlier hunting use in reference to scent or trail (1713). Warm-blooded in ref. to mammals is recorded from 1793. Warm-hearted first recorded c.1500.
warmO.E. wyrman "make warm" and wearmian "become warm;" from the root of
warm (adj.). Phrase warm the bench is sports jargon first recorded 1907. Warm up (v.) "exercise before an activity" is attested from 1868. In ref. to appliances, motors, etc., attested from 1947. Noun phrase
warm-up "act or practice of warming up" is recorded from 1915.