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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Via French clinique from Late Latin clinicus, from Greek klīnikós, "of the bed" — from klīnē, "bed," since the word originally referred to bedside medical treatment.

Formed from trespass plus the agent suffix -er.

From mail + -er.

Built from "orchestra" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-al."

A euphemistic softening of "Christ," similar to "crikey" and "cripes."

From the verb loathe. Compare loathsome.

Borrowed from French promenade, from promener ("to walk, to take for a walk").

From Old French Joanne, from Latin Joanna, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννα (Iōánna), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָה (Yôḥānāh, literally “God is gracious”), the feminized form of יְהוֹחָנָן (Yəhōḥānān) which produced John and its many doublets. Doublet of Ivana, Jana, Jane, Janice, Janis, Jean, Jeanne, Jen, Joan, Joanna, Johanna, Juana, Shavonne, Sian, Siobhan, Shane, Shaun, Shauna, and Sheena.

From Latin "corōnālis," related to "corōna" ("crown").

From Arabic sultan, meaning "strength" or "authority," borrowed into English via Ottoman Turkish and Medieval Latin.

From Ancient Greek hippódromos ("horse" + "course/track"), via Latin and French.

From "sick" plus the informal suffix "-o", which forms slangy nouns for a type of person (compare "weirdo").

Borrowed from Japanese jūjutsu, literally "gentle technique" or "soft skill."

From Latin iunctura, "a joining" — the same root as junction.

Borrowed from Latin iudiciarius.

From "balsam" plus the adjective ending -ic.

From Latin stipulatio, from stipulari, "to demand a formal promise."

From Middle English swoune, related to an old verb describing the act of fainting.

From French estocade, related to "stock" (in the sense of a wooden post) plus the suffix "-ade."

From "ring" (a circle of people) plus "leader" — originally the leader at the center of a circle.

From Latin bubo (a swelling, or "bubo") plus the adjective suffix -ic.

From dry + the suffix -ing.

From faithful plus the suffix -ness.

From Late Latin sensibilitas, from Latin sensibilis, "perceptible, capable of feeling."