English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

Etymology — The origins of English words

Where do words come from? Trace the origin and history of any English word, from its Latin, Greek or Old English roots through to its modern meaning. Every etymology is sourced.

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Borrowed from Malay pengguling, from peng- (“denominative prefix”) + guling (“to roll”).

From prep (“prep school”) + -er.

From peace + -en.

Borrowed from Latin perdita (“lost woman”).

From Latin pinnula.

From French phonographie.

Borrowed from Latin prī̆nceps (“first, foremost”). Doublet of prince and principe.

Pangloss (a character in Voltaire's Candide) + -ian

From penis + head.

From popish + -ness.

From piece + -en.

From pregnant + -ie.

From prick + -wad.

From pork + -ish.

From German pfui, also the source of phooey.

From Ancient Greek φαλάγγιον (phalángion, “spider's web”), from φάλαγξ (phálanx, “spider”), referring to the webbed toes on the hind feet.

From Medieval Latin paginare, from Latin pagina.

Borrowed from Middle French poignard (whence -ard), from poing (“fist”), from Old French poing, from Latin pugnus (“fist”).

Variant of Pierson.

From Latin patrōnātus. By surface analysis, patron + -ate (noun-forming suffix denoting a rank or office).

From Chaucer’s character Pandare (in Troilus and Criseyde), from Italian Pandaro (found in Boccaccio), from Latin Pandarus, from Ancient Greek Πάνδαρος (Pándaros). (See also Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida.)

Borrowed from Latin pīleus, a form of pilleus (“a felt cap”).

From partial + -ness.

Borrowed from Spanish picador (“stinger”).