'awe' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'ege' (also spelled 'eġe'), where 'ege' meant 'terror, fear'.

'awe' changed from the Old English word 'ege' into Middle English forms such as 'awe' and eventually became the modern English word 'awe'.

Initially, it meant 'terror' or 'fear', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a feeling of reverential respect often mixed with wonder (and less exclusively fear)'.