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 Old French traitier, ultimately from Latin tractāre, "to handle or manage" — related to "tract" and "traction."

From "tread" + "mill" — originally a real mill powered by people or animals walking on a wheel.

From Middle English triacle, ultimately from Greek thēriakē, "antidote" — treacle was once sold as a cure-all before the word narrowed to mean the syrup.

From trap plus the agent suffix -er.

From French trapèze, from Latin trapezium — a doublet of "trapezium."

From Latin "transcriptum," from "transcribere" ("to copy out").

From Old French traïtor, from Latin trāditor ("one who hands over"), from trādō, "to hand down or surrender" — a doublet of "tradition."

From tradition + the adjective-forming suffix -al.

From Old French trac, meaning the track or trail left by horses, likely from a Germanic word related to "tread" and "trek."

From Old French toaille, ultimately from a Frankish word related to "washing."

Borrowed in the 18th century from French toupet, meaning "small tuft of hair" or forelock.

Probably imitative (onomatopoeic) in origin, echoed across Germanic languages like Dutch toeteren and Swedish tuta.

Altered from the older word "tinct," influenced by French teinte, ultimately from Latin tinctus, "dyed."

From Old French thym, ultimately from Greek thumon.

From Old Norse þrífa, meaning "to grasp" or "to prosper" — the idea of seizing opportunity is baked into the word's roots.

Formed from thrift plus the adjective ending -y, dating back to Middle English.

From Old English þurst, related to Latin torridus ("scorched, dry") — the underlying sense is dryness.

From Old English þegn, "man" or "warrior," related to a word for a nobleman's retainer.

From French terminologie, ultimately from Latin terminus ("a term") plus the Greek-derived suffix -ology ("study of").

From Medieval Latin tentativus ("trying, testing"), from Latin tentare ("to try, test").

From Old French tente, from Vulgar Latin *tenta, related to Latin tendere ("to stretch").

From Old French tendre ("to stretch out, offer"), from Latin tendere ("to stretch, extend").

From tenacious + -ity, ultimately from Latin tenacitas.

From Latin temperantia, "moderation, self-control," from temperare, "to moderate" — the same root as "temper."