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 "anti-" (opposite) plus "Arctic" — literally "the opposite of the Arctic," since it lies at the opposite pole.

From Latin Africa, ultimately from Āfrī (the Latin name for inhabitants near Carthage), possibly rooted in a Berber or Phoenician word for the region.

From French analogue, from Greek analogos, "proportionate," built from ana- ("up to") plus logos ("ratio").

From Ancient Greek monárkhēs, "sole ruler," combining mónos ("alone") and arkhós ("leader").

Old French · 1380

From Old French dague, itself of uncertain and possibly Celtic origin; the word entered English in the 1380s.

From Late Latin verticalis, related to vertex, "the highest point" — from vertere, "to turn".

From Old French digestion, from Latin digestio.

From "organ" plus "-ism," ultimately from Greek órganon, "instrument."

From Latin organum, from Greek órganon, meaning "a tool" or "instrument" — the same root gives us "organic" and "organize."

From Old English eorl, related to Old Norse jarl — a doublet of the word "jarl" itself.

From French fédération, ultimately from Latin foederare, "to join by treaty," related to federal.

From Latin status, "manner of standing, condition," by way of Old French estat — the same root that gives us estate and status.

From Anglo-Norman counté, from Latin comitātus ("jurisdiction of a count").

From Old French contesse, from Latin comitissa, the feminine form of comes ("count").

From Old French duché, ultimately from Latin dux ("leader") — the land governed by a duke.

From Old French duchesse, the feminine form of duc ("duke").

From Old French duc, from Latin dux, "leader." The slang sense meaning "fist" is thought to come from Cockney rhyming slang: "Duke of York" for "fork," itself old slang for "hand."

From Middle English baronesse, built from baron plus the feminine ending -ess.

From Old French baron, from Latin barō, likely from a Germanic root meaning "man" or "warrior" — the same root that may lie behind Old English beorn, meaning "warrior."

A compound of "noble" and "man."

From Ancient Greek monarkhía, built from mónos ("only") and arkhḗ ("rule, authority").

From Old French empire, from Latin imperium, "command, dominion," from imperare, "to command."

From Old French empereriz, from Latin imperatrix, the feminine form of "emperor."

From Latin imperator, "commander," ultimately from imperare, "to command."