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 cryo- + -pathy.

From crucifixion + -al.

From a medieval diminutive of Dick + the patronymic suffix -s.

From delirium + -ant.

From de- + funk + -ify.

Pronuctiation spelling of that, representing dialects with th-stopping. Compare Dutch dat, Low German dat, and German das.

Borrowed from French dégustation, from Latin degustatio, degustationem, from degusto.

From Latin Cydonia, from Ancient Greek Κυδωνία (Kudōnía), q.v.

Borrowed from French diamanté (“adorned with diamonds”). From past participle of diamanter (“adorn with diamonds”), from diamant (“diamond”), from oblique stem of Ancient Greek ἀδάμᾱς (adámās, “hard metal, diamond”).

Borrowed from Dutch kruller (“curler”), from krullen + -er.

From Latin cūriātus, see -ate (adjective-forming suffix).

PIE word *h₁nómn̥ Inherited from Middle English denominat(e) (“named, called”), borrowed from Latin dēnōminātus, perfect passive participle of dēnōminō, see -ate (etymology 1, 2 and 3). By surface analysis, de- + nominate.

From Middle English deflouren, from Old French desflorer (modern French déflorer), from Late Latin deflōrāre. By surface analysis, de- + flower.

From French décanter, from Medieval Latin dēcanthāre, from dē- + canthus (“beak of a cup or jug”).

Borrowed from Latin dēnārius. Doublet of denar, denier, dinar, diner, dinero, and dinheiro.

Borrowed from French raisin de Corinthe (literally “grapes of Corinth, the city in Greece”). Cognate with Dutch krent. Doublet of Corinth.

democratization

From democratiz(e) + -ation or democrat(ic) + -ization.

From the participle stem of Latin dērīdeō (“to deride”) + -ive.

From French denture (“set of teeth”), from Latin dens, dentis (“tooth”) + -urus, -ura, -urum, a suffix implying a set.

From dacoit + -y.

From a diminutive of Dick + -son.

From Ancient Greek δευτεραγωνιστής (deuteragōnistḗs, literally “second actor”), originally in Greek drama, from ἀγωνιστής (agōnistḗs, “a combatant, pleader, actor”). By surface analysis, deuter- (“second”) + agonist (“combatant, participant”).

Borrowed from French cuisinier.

From dark + fall, modelled after nightfall.