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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From active plus the suffix -ist.

Attested since at least 1550, from Middle French astronomique or directly from Latin astronomicus, from Ancient Greek ἀστρονομικός (astronomikós).

A straightforward compound of time + line.

From Old French prosperer, from Latin prosperare ("to cause to succeed"), from pro spere ("according to hope").

From main + stream.

From champion + the suffix -ship (denoting a state, status, or office).

From Middle French régional, from Latin regiōnālis, itself from regiō ("region, district").

From Old French eritage/heritage, ultimately from Latin hērēs ("heir").

From part plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

From Middle English frankelein, "freeholder," ultimately related to "frank" (free) — a franklin was a free man who owned land but wasn't nobility.

From German and Scandinavian Karl, going back to a Germanic root meaning "free man." It is the same word that gives English the name Charles.

From Old English AElfraed, formed from aelf ("elf") and raed ("counsel") — literally "elf counsel".

From the Greek "angelos", meaning "messenger" or "angel".

Borrowed from Latin consistentem, present participle of consistere, "to stand firm together."

From point + -ing.

From increasing plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

Shortened from "maximum," from Latin maximus, "greatest."

Borrowed directly from French personnel, "staff."

From Latin recognitio, "a re-examining," itself from recognoscere, "to know again" (re- + cognoscere, "to learn, come to know").

From Late Latin memoriale, built on the same root as memory.

The -ing form of the verb tell.

From useful + -ness.

From aspire plus the suffix -ation.

From Latin retribuere, "to repay."