This remarkable word ultimately derives from Proto Indo European wel, meaning “turn” or “revolve”. Other descendants of wel include waltz, willow, walk, wallow, vault, evolve, revolve, vulva, valve, valley, and helix. In Latin, wel became the root of the verb volvere (”to roll”). Volvere was applied to rolled-up scrolls (volumen), which were, of course, the textual volumes of the day; thus we use volume to mean a book (especially a voluminous one!).

The use of volume to mean “an expanse of 3d space” is an extension of the rolled-up-scroll usage. The word contains within it the idea of a two-dimensional object — a flat sheet — being rolled up, and thereby becoming three-dimensional — acquiring volume. Volume as a measure of sound intensity is a further metaphor on top of this one, coming from the sense of a sound filling up space.

The “v” of volume is, frankly, a tricky sound to nail down; but in this instance it seems to indicate a three-dimensional boundary — not a regular boundary, like “b” or “p” would indicate, but one that is more alive and encompassing in some way. The short “o” is probably the space within the volume, and the “l” is what fills the volume — unshaped, flowing energy. The second syllable, which is unstressed and so may be a sort of “commentary” on the first, indicates expansiveness, affirmation (”y”) filled with fast, flowing, rounded energy (long “u”) which leads to manifestation (”m”). (Note the very similar word womb, which differs only in that it’s kicked off with “w”, the will).

Thanks again to Slade for requesting this word of the day!

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