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 Latin innocuus, "harmless" — in- ("not") plus nocuus ("harmful").

From Latin innatus, "inborn," from in- ("in") plus nasci ("to be born") — related to native and natal.

From Anglo-Norman injurie, from Latin iniuria, "a wrong or injustice," from in- ("not") plus ius, "right, law."

From Latin iniunctio, "a joining or command," from iniungere, "to enjoin, impose."

From Latin initiatio, "a beginning or admission," from initiare, "to begin, induct."

From "inhale" + "-ation."

From Latin inflammatio, built on inflame.

From Latin inflammare, "to set on fire," from in- plus flamma ("flame").

From Medieval Latin infiltratio, built on infiltrate.

From Latin inferentia, from infer + -ence.

From in- + efficient, from Latin efficientem, "effective, powerful."

First recorded in 1646, from indoctrinate plus -ion.

Formed from in- (\"not\") plus discreet.

From Latin indicare, "to point out," from in- ("toward") + dicare ("to proclaim, declare").

From French indépendance, built from in- ("not") + dependence.

From indent + -ation.

From Anglo-Norman encurir, from Latin incurrere ("to run into, encounter"), from in- plus currere ("to run").

From Latin incubātiō, from incubāre ("to lie on, brood over").

From Late Latin incomplētus, from in- ("not") plus complētus ("complete, filled up").

From Late Latin incarnatio, "being made flesh," ultimately from Latin caro/carn-, "flesh."

From Medieval Latin incarcerātio, built on incarcerate, itself from Latin carcer, "prison."

From Old French incantation, from Latin incantatio, related to the word "enchant."

From the past participle of inbreed — in- plus bred.

From Middle French inauguration.