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 Greek Σειρήν (Seirḗn), the mythological sea nymphs whose singing lured sailors to shipwreck, via Old French and Latin.

From "fund" + "raising" — the act of raising funds.

From Old English besettan, "to surround or occupy" — built from "be-" (around) plus "set."

A shortened form of bombproof.

From Middle French département, itself from départir ("to divide, distribute"); the same root as "depart."

From Old French perfection, from Latin perfectio, "a finishing, completion", from perficere ("to complete").

From Latin profundus, "deep," from pro- plus fundus ("bottom, foundation").

From Latin temperātus, past participle of temperāre, "to moderate" — related to "temper" and "temperance."

From Old French jugement, from Latin iudicare ("to judge"), formed from judge plus -ment.

From Latin indicatio, "a pointing out," from indicare, "to indicate."

From Old French exces, from Latin excessus, "a going beyond," from excedere (see "exceed").

From Middle English sacred, the past participle of sacren, "to make holy."

From Middle English spense, "provisions," referring to one who dispensed household supplies.

From Latin exspectare, "to look out for, await," from ex- ("out") plus spectare ("to look at").

From Old English inland, simply in- plus land.

From Latin committere ("to bring together, entrust"), from com- + mittere ("to send") — related to "mission."

From near + the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

From Anglo-Norman custume, from Latin consuetudinem, "an accustomed way," from con- + suescere, "to become accustomed." A doublet of "costume" and "consuetude."

From Middle English tinclen, built from "tink" plus a suffix showing repeated action — related to similar words in Dutch and German for glittering or flickering sounds.

From equip + -ment, or from French équipement.

From Latin silens, "being quiet," the present participle of silere, "to be silent."

From Old English bineoþan, formed from be- plus neoþan ("below"), the same root family that gives us "nether."

From Old French vigour, from Latin vigor, from vigeo ("to thrive, flourish") — related to "vigil" and "vigorous."

From French ravage, from ravir ("to snatch away"), ultimately from Latin rapere ("to seize"), the same root behind "rapid" and "rapture."