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 Hebrew ari (\"lion\") + el (\"God\"). The Uranian moon was named after the airy spirit in Shakespeare's "The Tempest."

From Old French livree, originally referring to clothing or provisions "delivered" to servants.

Coined by combining the Greek pherein ("to carry") with "hormone," describing a chemical signal carried between individuals rather than within one body.

From tobacco plus the suffix -ist, denoting a person who deals in or is associated with something.

From terminal + the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

technologically

From "technological" plus the adverb ending "-ly".

From Middle English fruitefull, built from fruit plus -ful, "full of."

A compound of "birth" and "place".

From Middle English penyles — penny + -less.

Borrowed from Spanish bronco ("rough"), which in Mexican Spanish also described a wild, unbroken horse.

Unadapted borrowing from French Descartes.

From hypothetical + -ly.

From de- + compress, tracing back to Latin dē- and premere ("to press").

Originally short for "Echo Bay," the name of the consulting firm behind the site's early development; the "e-" also echoes the "electronic" prefix common to 1990s internet brands.

Formed from in- + explosion, the opposite of an outward blast.

Anglicized from Irish Máirín, diminutive of Máire, an Irish equivalent of Mary. By surface analysis, Maura + -een.

From Latin plagiarius, "kidnapper," extended to someone who "kidnaps" another's words or ideas.

From hood + -ed.

From Old French respit, "rest, delay," ultimately from Latin respectus. It shares this Latin root with the word respect.

Origin uncertain, likely related to "tinkle" or an old word meaning "to tickle".

From Latin tingere, "to dip or colour" — the same root as "tincture" and "tint".

From tin + foil; originally made of actual tin before aluminium foil replaced it.

Formed on the same pattern as "spokesman," with the gender-neutral "-person" swapped in.

Borrowed directly from Latin forceps, a tool name.