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 pussy + girl.

From Middle English reedy, reedi, reeddy, equivalent to reed + -y.

For Lord Rayleigh, English physicist

20th-century variant of Rachel, from French Rachelle, or possibly coined independently of it.

From rain + shade; compare sunshade.

From rag + head.

From Quaker + -ish.

From French rente.

From Old French prolixite, from Latin prolixitas. By surface analysis, prolix + -ity.

Compare French promulguer. See promulgate.

From Portuguese quarta, from Latin quartus (“fourth”), q.v., in reference to the units making up one-fourth of the alqueire (“Portuguese bushel”) or arrantel (“Portuguese pound”). Doublet of quart, quater, and cuaderon.

From recognit(ion) + -ory.

See prizefight. Originally Prize Playing, with play referring to sparring, a practice fight. By surface analysis, prize + fighting.

Variant of Parnell.

From quadri- + cycle; compare bicycle, tricycle.

Borrowed from French raillerie.

From proletarian + -ise.

From pyro- + -mania.

Borrowed from German prosit.

From purport + -ed.

From Latin recēdō + -ive, or directly from New Latin recessīvus.

From pro- (“forward”) + -grade (“direction”).

From puppy + sitter.