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 a Scottish diminutive of Wilk, a back-formation from Wilkin.

From Wilk, a back-formation from Wilkin + the patronymic suffix -s.

* (Polish surname): From Polish Wilk, from Polish wilk (“wolf”), * (English surname): A back-formation from Wilkin, from a medieval diminutive of the given name Will.

From Wilcock + -s (“the patronymic suffix”).

Will + -cock (“a medieval diminutive suffix”)

From a medieval variant of the given name William.

From a medieval diminutive form of the given name William.

From Wilkin + -son.

A short form of Alexa or Alexandra.

Anglicisation of the Irish surname Ó Dálaigh, from dálach ("frequenting meetings").

From crease + -y.

From Old English webbestre, the feminine form of webba ("weaver") — the "-ster" ending originally marked a female worker, as in "spinster".

From Latin "fortuna," meaning "fortune" or "chance."

From a Middle English diminutive of Hugh.

From Hugh + patronymic suffix -s.

From a Middle English diminutive of Hugh.

From Welsh Huw.

From Welsh ap Huw, meaning "son of Hugh."

Related to "lorry," the British word for a truck.

Formed from the verb spangle plus the agent suffix -er.

From Old French clemence, from Latin clementia — the same root that gave English "clemency," which eventually replaced it in common use.

From Middle English horner, from horn + -er.

From a medieval diminutive of the given name Hugh plus the patronymic suffix -s.

From a medieval diminutive of the given name Hugh plus the patronymic suffix -s.