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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A verbal noun built from decrypt, ultimately from Ancient Greek kryptós ("hidden").

Formed from encrypt plus the noun suffix -ion.

From Latin submergere, from sub- ("under") plus mergere ("to plunge, dip").

From Latin relabi, "to slide back," from re- ("back") plus labi ("to slip or slide").

Of disputed American origin, possibly linked to an old sense of "shy" meaning disreputable, or to a German word meaning someone worthless.

From Latin reicere, "to throw back," from re- ("back") plus iacere ("to throw").

From Old English strica, meaning a line or stroke, related to a very old root meaning simply "line."

From Old French penitence, from Latin paenitentia, "repentance" — from paenitēre, "to regret."

A compound of "spot" and "light," referring originally to a light aimed at a specific spot on stage.

Borrowed from French impasse ("dead end"), from im- + passe.

From Old English āceocian ("to choke"), likely related to Old English ċēoce ("jaw, cheek").

Formed from anti- ("against") plus acid.

Origin uncertain; possibly related to an old Middle English word meaning "foolish" or a Middle Low German term for a wrestling throw.

From Middle French suffocation, from Latin suffocatio.

From Middle English stightlere, related to "stickle"; originally the referee at Cornish wrestling matches, who carried a stick as a badge of office.

From Latin insufficiens — in- ("not") + sufficiens ("sufficient").

From Latin suffocare, from sub- ("under, up to") plus fauces ("throat"). First recorded in English in the 1500s.

From Latin infractio, "a breaking," from the same root as "fracture."

From cat + fight — the fight sense borrows the image of scratching and hissing rather than throwing punches.

From Old English wæsċing, built from wash plus the -ing suffix.

From Anglo-Norman warenne, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to guard" or "protect" — originally referring to land set aside and protected for keeping game like rabbits.

From Old English warnian ("to take heed, to warn"), from a Germanic root meaning "to be aware" or "give heed."

Warm plus the abstract-noun suffix -th, as in "depth" or "length."

Formed from the phrasal verb take over.