gabble < middle english gab (=
action of talking) < (?) old french gap / gab
(= joke, bragging talk) (< scandinavian source) [by influence of scottish
/ english gab (= mouth)].
gaberdine < spanish gabardina
< middle french galverdine < germanic source.
gable < middle english gable < old french gable
(= facade, front) < old norse
gafl
(= gable) < (?) proto-germanic *gablaz (= top of roof).
Gabriel < ancient greek Γαβριήλ | Gabriēl
< hebrew Gabhri el (= man of God) < gebher
(= man) + El (= God).
gadget < (?) french gâchette
(= catch-piece of a mechanism), a diminutive of gâche (= staple of a lock).
gage < middle english gage < old french gage
(= pledge of battle, guarantee) < frankish
*wadja- < proto-germanic *wadi-.
gain < middle french gagner < old french gaaignier
(= to earn, capture, win) < frankish
*waidanjan
(= hunt) < proto-germanic
*waithanjan
(= hunt) < *waithjo- (= hunting).
gait < middle english gait < proto-germanic *gatwon
(= a going).
galaxy < middle english galaxy
< french galaxie
< late latin galaxias < ancient greek γαλαξίας | galaxias < γαλαξίας [κύκλος] | galaxias [kyklos] (= milky circle) [in greek mythology, from
the milk that was spread upon the sky from the breast of goddess
Hēra while she was feeding the babe Hercules] < γάλα | gala [gen. γάλακτος | galaktos) (= milk).
gale < gaile (= wind) < (?)
1. old norse gol (= breeze) or 2. old danish
gal
(= bad, furious).
Gallagher < irish Gallchobhar
(= foreign-help).
gallant < middle english gallant
< old french gallant
(= amusing, courteous), present participle of galer (= rejoice) <
(?) frankish *wala-
(= good, well) < proto-germanic
*wal-.
galleon < french galion
< spanish galeón (= armed merchant ship), an augmentative
of galea < medieval greek γαλαία | galaea (= galley).
gallery < middle english gallery
< old french galerie
(= a long portico) < medieval
latin galeria < (?) galilea (= church porch) < (?) latin Galilaea
(= Galilee) < hebrew Haggalil (= the District), a compressed form of Gelil haggoyim
(= the District of nations).
galley < middle english galley
< old french galee
/ galie
(= boat, warship) < medieval latin
galea
< ancient greek γαλαία | galaea (= galley).
Gallic < latin Gallicus
(= pertaining to Gaul) < latin
Gallus
(= Gaul) < celtic origin.
gallon < middle english gallon
< old french galon
< jalon
(= a liquid measure), related to jale (= bowl) < medieval / vulgar latin galleta
(= bucket, a measure of wine) < (?) gaulish galla (= vessel).
gallop < middle english gallop
< old french galoper
(= to gallop) < waloper < (?) frankish *wala hlaupan (= run well).
gallows < middle english gallows,
plural of galwe < [1. old
norse galgi (= gallows) or 2. old english g(e)alga (= gallows)] < proto-germanic *galgon (= pole).
galoshes < middle english galoshes
< (?) 1. old french galoche (= overshoe) < late latin gallicula,
a diminutive of gallica [solea] (= a Gallic
[sandal]) or 2. vulgar latin *galopia < ancient greek καλοπόδιον | kalopodion, a diminutive of καλόπους | kalopous (= shoemaker's last)
< κάλον |
kalon (= firewood) + πους
| pous [gen. ποδός | podos) (= foot).
galvanism < french galvanisme
/ italian galvanismo < italian [Luigi]
Galvani,
professor of anatomy [who discovered it].
gamble < middle english gammlen
< gamenen
(= to play, be merry) < old
english gamenian (= to play, joke)
< old english gamen (= joy, fun, game) or 2. gamel
(= play games) < (?) middle english game < old english gamen.
game < middle english game < old english gamen
(= joy, fun, game) < proto-germanic
[prefix] *ga- (= with, together) + *mann (= person).
gamma < ancient greek Γ, γάμμα | gamma < phoenician gimel
(= camel) [its shape is like the head
with the neck of this animal].
gammon < middle english gambon < old french gambon
(= ham) < gambe (= leg)
< late latin gamba (= animal’s leg) < ancient
greek καμπή | kampē (= bend, curve).
gamut < medieval latin gamma
ut < ancient greek
γάμμα | gamma [a letter used in music notation]
(< phoenician gimel
(= camel)) + Ut [the first musical
note, which today replaced by Do].
The notes of the musical
scale took their names from the first syllables of this hymn for St. John the Baptist:
Ut queant laxis
Resonare fibris
Mira gestorum
Famuli tuorum,
Solve pollutis
Labiis reatum,
Sancte Iohannes.
gang < [old english gang
(= a going, way) / old norse gangr (= group of men)] < proto-germanic *gangaz
(= act of going).
gangster < american english gangster
< gang (q.v.) + [suffix] -ster (< old english -istre
< proto-germanic *-istrijon).
gap < middle english gap < old norse gap
(= empty space) < germanic origin.
garage < french garage
(= storing place) < garer
(= to shelter, dock) < old
french garir (= protect, save) <
frankish *waron (= to guard) < proto-germanic *war-
(= protect).
garbage < (?) old french garbe
/ jarbe (= sheaf of wheat, bundle of sheaves) < proto-germanic
*garba-.
garble < middle english garble< anglo-french garbeler
(= to sift) < medieval latin garbello [inf. garbellare] < arabic
gharbal
(= to sift).
garcon middle english
garcon
< old french garçun
(= servant-boy) < gars (= boy, waiter) < frankish *wrakjo-
< proto-germanic *wrakjon.
garden < middle english garden
< old french gardin
(= garden) < vulgar latin
*gardinus
[hortus] (= enclosed [kitchen
garden]) < frankish *gardo < proto-germanic *gardan- (= enclose).
gardenia < modern latin gardenia
< scottish [Alexander] Garden,
American naturalist.
garderobe < middle english garderobe
< old french garderobe
(= wardrobe) < warder (= to guard) (< proto-germanic *wardon
(= to guard) + robe (=
garment) (< west germanic
*raubo
(= booty)).
gargle < middle french gargouiller
(= to gurgle, bubble) < old
french gargole (= throat, waterspout) < (?) garg- (imitative of throat
sound) + *goule (= mouth) (<
latin gula (= throat)).
garland < middle english garland
< old french garlande
(= garland) < (?) frankish *weron (= to adorn) < *wiara- / *weara-
(= wire).
garlic < middle english garlek < old english garle(a)c
(= garlic) < gar / ger (= spear) (< proto-germanic *gaisa-) + leac (= leek) (< proto-germanic *lauka-).
garment < middle english garment
< old french garnement
(= garment, clothes) < garnir
(= fit out, adorn) < germanic
source.
garner < middle english gerner < old french gernier
< grenier
(= storehouse) < latin granarium
(= store-house for grain) < granum (= grain, seed).
garnish < middle english garnish < old french garnir
(= provide, furnish) < frankish
*warnjan < proto-germanic *warnon
(= guard, provide).
garret < middle english garite
< old french garite
(= watchtower) < garir
(= defend) < proto-germanic
*warjan.
garrison < middle english garrison
< old french garison
(= defense, protection) < garir (= defend) < proto-germanic *warjan.
garrulous < latin garrulus
(= talkative, chattering) < garrio
[inf. garrire] (= to chatter).
garter < middle english garter
< old french gartier
(= band of the knee) < garet
/ jaret
(= bend of the knee).
Gary < [old norse geiri
/ old danish geri (= spear)] < proto-germanic *gaisa- (= spear).
gas < dutch gas
< ancient greek χάος |
khaos (= empty space).
gash < middle english garce
(= wound, incision) < old
french garser (= to scarify, cut) < vulgar latin *charasso
[inf. charassare] (= engrave) < ancient
greek χαράσσω |
kharassō (= engrave, carve).
gasoline < gasolene < gas (< dutch gas < ancient greek χάος | khaos (= empty space)) + ol- (< latin oleum
(= oil)) + [suffix] -ine.
gasp < middle english gaspen
(= open the mouth wide) < (?) 1. old
norse geispa (= to yawn) or 2. danish gispe (= gasp).
gastric < modern latin gastricus < ancient greek γαστήρ |
gastēr [gen. γαστρός |
gastros) (= stomach).
gate < old english geat
(= gate, door, passage) < proto-germanic *gatan.
gather < old english gadrian
/ gædrian
(= unite, collect) < proto-germanic *gaduron (= bring together).
gauge < middle english gauge
< anglo-french gauge
< old french gauger
(= calibrate, measure) < gauge
(= gauging rod) < (?) frankish *galgo (= rod, pole for measuring).
Gaul < french Gaule < latin Gallia < Gallus (= Gaul).
gay < middle english gay
(= merry, carefree, lascivious) < old
french gai (= happy, joyful).
gaze < middle english gasen
/ gazen
(= stare, look steadily) < (?) scandinavian origin.
gazelle < french gazelle
< old french gazel < arabic ghazal.
gazette < french gazette
< italian gazzetta
/ venetian gazeta (= little magpie,
a small coin, newspaper), a diminutive of gazza (= magpie) [from its price or from the bird as a symbol of chattering].
gear < middle english gear
(= fighting equipment) < (?) old
norse gørvi (= apparel, gear)
< proto-germanic *garwjan (= make, prepare).
geek < (?) geck (= fool, dupe) < 1.
dutch gek or 2. low german geck.
geisha < japanese geisha < gei (= art) + sha
(= person).
gel < a shortening of gelatin
(q.v.) [(?) by influence of jell].
gelatine < french gélatine
< italian gelatina < gelata (= jelly) < gelare
(= to freeze, congeal) < latin
gelo
[inf. gelare] (= to congeal).
gelato < italian gelato
(= frozen), past participle of gelare
(= to freeze, congeal) < latin
gelo
[inf. gelare] (= to congeal).
gem < middle english gem
< old french gemme < latin gemma (= jewel) < proto-italic *gebma- (= bud, sprout).
geminate < middle english geminate
< latin geminatus,
past participle of gemino [inf. geminare]
(= to double), related to geminus (= twin).
Gemini < latin gemini, plural of
geminus (= twin).
gender < middle english gender
< old french gen(d)re (= kind, species) < latin genus
[gen. generis] (= race, kind, species) <
I.E. *gene- (= give birth).
gene < german Gen
< ancient greek γενεά
| genea (= generation) < I.E. *gene-
(= give birth).
genealogy < middle english genealogy
< old french genealogie
< late latin genealogia
(= tracing of a family) < ancient
greek γενεαλογία | genealogia
(= the making of a pedigree) < γενεά
| genea (= generation) + -λογία | -logia (= study) (< λόγος | logos (= a speaking) < λέγω | legō (= speak)).
general < middle english general
< old french general
< latin generalis (= generic) < genus [gen. generis] (= race, kind, species) <
I.E. *gene- (= give birth).
generate < latin generatus,
past participle of genero [inf. generare]
(= to beget, produce) < genus
[gen. generis] (= race, kind, species) <
I.E. *gene- (= give birth).
generous < middle french généreux
< latin generosus
(= of noble birth) < genus
[gen. generis] (= race, kind, species) <
I.E. *gene- (= give birth).
genesis < old english Genesis
[first book of Old Testament] <
latin genesis (= generation) <
ancient greek γένεσις | genessis (= creation, generation) < γίγνομαι | gignomae (= be born) < I.E. *gene-
(= give birth).
Geneva < latin Genava
/ Geneva
/ Genua < (?) 1. I.E. *gen- (= bend) [as a reference to its situation]
or 2. janua (= gate) or 3. Janus, a Roman god, having two faces
(cf. January).
Genevieve < french Geneviève
< late latin Genovefa < (?) celtic origin.
genial < latin genialis
(= pleasant, pertaining to marriage rites)
< genius (= guardian spirit) <
I.E. *gene- (= give birth).
genie < french génie < latin genius
(= guardian spirit) [as a translate of arabic jinni
(= spirit, demon)] < I.E.
*gene-
(= give birth).
genius < middle english genius
< latin genius
(= guardian spirit, prophetic skill) < I.E. *gene-
(= give birth).
Genoa < italian
Genova < latin Genava
/ Geneva
/ Genua < (?) 1. I.E. *gen- (= bend) [as a reference to its situation]
or 2. janua (= gate) or 3. Janus, a Roman god, having two faces
(cf. January).
genocide < ancient greek γένος
| genos (= race, kind) (< I.E.
*gene-
(= give birth) + -cide (= a killing) (< french -cide < latin
caedo [inf. caedere] (= beat,
slay)).
genome < genom < german
genom
< Gen (< ancient greek γενεά | genea (= generation)) + Chromosom
(= chromosome) (< ancient greek χρώμα | khrōma (= color) (< χρως | khrōs
(= skin)) + σώμα | sōma (= body) [so called because its
substance stains readily with basic dyes]).
genre < french genre
< old french gen(d)re (= kind, species) <
latin genus [gen. generis] (= race, kind, species) < I.E. *gene-
(= give birth).
gens < latin gens
[gen. gentis] (= race, nation) < I.E.
*gene-
(= give birth).
gent(i)le < middle english gent(i)le < old french gentil
/ jentil (= high-born, noble, of good family) < medieval latin gentilis
(= of noble birth) < latin gentilis (= of the same family)
< gens [gen. gentis] (= race, nation) < I.E.
*gene-
(= give birth).
genus < latin genus
[gen. generis] (= race, nation) < I.E.
*gene-
(= give birth).
geography < middle french géographie
< latin geographia
< ancient greek γεωγραφία | geōghraphia < γεωγράφος | geōghraphos (= geographer) < γη | gē [gen. γεώς | gheōs] (= earth) + graphō (= draw, write).
geology < modern latin geologia
< ancient greek
γεωλογία
| geōlogia < γη |
gē [gen. γεώς | geōs] (= earth) + -λογία | -logia (= study) (< λόγος | logos (= a speaking) < λέγω | legō (= speak)).
geometry < middle english ge(o)metry / gemetrie < old french geometrie < latin geometria < ancient greek γεωμετρία
| geōmetria < γεωμέτρης |
geōmetrēs (= geometer) < γη | gē [gen. γεώς | geōs] (= earth) + μετρώ | metrō (= to measure).
George < french Georges
< late latin Georgius < ancient greek γεωργός | geōrgos (= farmer) < γη
| gē [gen. γεώς | geōs] (= earth) + έργον | ergon (= work).
Gerald < old french Giralt < old high german Gerwald
(= spear-wielder) < proto-germanic *girald < gar / ger
(= spear) + waltan (= to rule).
Gerard < old french Gerart
< germanic gar / ger (= spear) + hart
(= hard).
germ < middle english germ < middle french germe
(= bud, seed, fruit) < latin
germen
[gen. germinis] (= spring, sprout, bud).
German < latin Germanus.
germination < middle english germination < latin germinatio
(= budding) < germino [inf. germinare]
(= to sprout) < germen
[gen. germinis] (= spring, sprout, bud).
Geronimo < italian / spanish
Geronimo
< ancient greek ‘Ιερώνυμος | hIerōnymos < ‘ιερός | hieros (= holy) + όνυμα | onyma (= name).
Gertrude < french Gertrude
< old high german Geretrudis
< gar
/ ger
(= spear) + trut (= beloved).
gest < middle english gest < old french geste
/ jeste
(= action, exploit) < medieval
latin gesta (= actions, exploits) < gesta, neuter plural past
participle of gero [inf. gerere] (=
carry on, perform).
gesture < middle english gesture
< medieval latin
gestura
(= bearing, behavior) < latin
gestus
(= carriage, gesture) < gestus, past participle of gero
[inf. gerere] (= carry on, perform).
get < middle english get < old norse geta
(= to obtain, reach, beget, learn)
< proto-germanic *getan < I.E. *ghend- (= take, seize).
geyser < icelandic Geysir, a hot spring in the
valley of Haukadal < old norse geysa
(= to gush) < proto-germanic
*gausjan
< I.E. *gheus- < *gheu- (= to pour).
ghetto < italian ghetto
(= part of a city restricted to Jews) < (?) 1. ghettare (= throw) < late
latin *jecto [inf. jectare] < latin jacio
[inf. jacere] (= throw) or 2. italian
borghetto
(= small section of a town) or 3. yiddish get (= deed of separation)
< venetian getto (= foundry) [which was
near the ghetto of Venetia] < Egitto (= Egypt) (< latin Aegyptus
< ancient greek Αίγυπτος
| Aegyptos < akkadian Ha(t)-ka-ptah).
ghost < old english gast
(= breath, spirit, life, human being) <
proto-germanic *gaistaz (= spirit, ghost).
giant < middle english giant
< old french geant
< jaiant
< vulgar latin *gagas [gen. gagantis] < latin gigas
[gen. gigantis] < ancient greek Γίγας | Gigas [gen. Γίγαντος | Gigantos] (= Giant, a giant demigod).
Gib < an abbreviation
of Gilbert
< 1. old french Guillebert
< old high german Williberht (= bright will) or 2. old
french Gilebert < Gisilbert (= bright pledge) < old high german gisil
(= pledge) + beorht (= bright).
gibbet < middle english gibbet
< old french gibet
(= gallows), a diminutive of gibe (= club) < (?) frankish
*gibb
(= forked stick).
Gibraltar < arabic
Jebel
el
Tarik
(= Mountain of Tarik) < Tarik, a Saracen leader [who captured
this place in 710].
gift < middle english gift < proto-germanic *geftiz
< *geb- (= give) < I.E. *ghabh-
(= give, receive).
gigantic < latin gigas
[gen. gigantis] < ancient greek Γίγας | Gigas [gen. Γίγαντος | Gigantos] (= Giant, a giant demigod).
gigolo < french gigolo
< gigole
(= tall and thin woman, dancing girl, prostitute) < (?) gigoter (= move the shanks,
hop) < gigue (= shank) < old
french giga < frankish *giga-.
Gilbert < 1. old french Guillebert
< old high german Williberht (= bright will) or 2. old
french Gilebert < Gisilbert (= bright pledge) < old high german gisil
(= pledge) + beorht (= bright).
gild < old english gyldan
(= to gild) < proto-germanic
*gulthjan
< *gultham (= gold) <
I.E. *ghel-(2) (= to shine).
Giles < old french Gilles < latin Aegidius
/ Egidius
< ancient greek αιγίδιον
| aegidion (= kid) < αιξ | aex [gen. αιγός | aegos] (= goat).
Gillian < french Juliane < late latin Juliana,
female of Julianus (= of Julius)
< latin Julius.
gillyflower < gilofre
(= clove, gillyflower) [by influence
of flower] < old french girofle (= clove) < latin caryophyllon < ancient greek καρυόφυλλον
| karyophyllon (= clove, nut leaf) < κάρυον | karyon (= nut) + φύλλον | phyllon (= leaf).
gin < a shortening of
geneva
[by influence of Geneva, but there is
no connection of this drink with the city] < dutch genever
(= juniper, gin) [because the alcohol was flavored with berries of juniper] < old french genevre
(= juniper) < vulgar
latin *jeniperus < latin
juniperus
(= juniper, cedar).
ginger < middle english
ginger
< old english gingiber
/ gingifer < late latin gingiber < latin zingiberi < ancient greek ζιγγίβερις
| ziggiberis < prakrit singabera < sanskrit srngaveram < srngam (= horn) + vera-
(= body) [so called from the shape of its root] or 2. dravidian inchi-ver
< inchi (= root).
gingerbread < middle english gingerbrar
[by influence of bread] < old french ginginbrat
(= ginger preserve) < medieval
latin gingimbratus (= gingered)
< late latin gingiber (see ginger).
ginseng < chinese
jen-shen
< jen
(= man) + shen (= ?).
Gioconda < italian Gioconda,
female of Giocondo < late latin jocundus (= pleasing, pleasant) < latin
jucundus
(= pleasant).
giraffe < giraffa
< italian giraffa < arabic zarafa < (?) african
source.
girl < middle english gyrle
(= child) < (?) old english *gyrele < proto-germanic *gurwilon-, a diminutive of
*gurwjoz.
girth < middle english girth
< old norse gjorð
(= belt, hoop) < proto-germanic
*gertu-.
give < old english giefan
< proto-germanic *geban
{> dutch geven, german geben} < I.E. *ghabh- (= give, receive).
Giza < arabic Er-ges-her (= beside the high [i.e.
the Great Pyramid]).
glace < french glacé,
past participle of glacer (= to ice) <
glace
(= ice) < latin glacies
(= ice).
glad < old english glæd
(= bright, joyous, pleasant) < proto-germanic
*gladaz.
glade < middle english glade
(= open space in a wood) < (?) middle
english glode < old norse
glaðr
(= bright) < proto-germanic
*gladaz.
gladiator < latin gladiator
(= swordsman) < gladius
(= sword) < (?) gaulish source.
gladiolus < middle english gladiolus
< latin gladiolus (= sword-lily) [because of
its sword-shaped leaves], a diminutive of gladius (= sword).
Glagolitic < serbo-croatian glagolica
(= glagolitic alphabet) < old
church slavonic glagolu (= word) < I.E. *gal-gal- < *gal-
(= to call, shout).
glamour < scottish glamour
< gramarye
(= magic, spell) < middle english grammar < old
french gramaire (= grammar, magic incantation, spells) < latin grammatica
(= grammar, philology) < ancient greek γραμματική [τέχνη] | grammatikē [tekhnē] (= [art] of letters) < γραμματική, female of γραμματικός |
grammatikos (= of the letters, of learning)
< γράμμα |
gramma (= letter) < γράφω | graphō (= write, draw).
glance < middle english glance
< glacen (= to graze, strike a glancing blow) < old french glacier
(= make slippery) < glace (= ice) < french glacé, past participle of glacer
(= to ice) < glace (= ice) < latin glacies
(= ice).
gland < french glande
< latin glandula
(= gland of the throat, tonsil), a diminutive of glans [gen. glandis] (= acorn, nut),
glare < middle english glare
(= shine brightly) < middle dutch
/ middle low german glaren (= to gleam) < proto-germanic *glaz-.
Glasgow < gaelic Glasgow
< glas (= green) + cau
(= hollow).
glass < old english glæs
< proto-germanic *glasam
(= glass) < I.E. *ghel-[2] (= to shine).
glaze < middle english glaze
< glasen (= fit with glass, make shine) < glas < old
english glæs < proto-germanic
*glasam
(= glass).
gleam < old english glæm
(= brilliant light, brightness, beauty) <
proto-germanic *glaimiz.
glean < middle english glean
< old french glener
(= to glean) < late latin
glenno
[inf. glennare] (= collect).
glide < old english glidan
(= vanish, slide) < proto-germanic
*glidan
(= to glide).
glimmer < middle english glimmer
(= to shine brightly) < (?) middle
dutch glimmen / middle low german glimmern < proto-germanic
*glim-.
glimpse < middle english glimpse
(= glisten, be dazzling) < (?) old english *glimsian (= shine faintly).
glint < scottish glint
< glent < middle english glenten
(= gleam, flash) < scandinavian
source.
glisten < old english glisnian
(= glisten, gleam) < proto-germanic
*glis-.
glitter < middle english gliteren
< glideren
< scandinavian source.
gloat < (?) glout (= to gaze, stare) < scandinavian source.
globe < middle english globe
< middle french
globe
< latin globus (= sphere, ball).
Gloria < latin gloria
(= glory, fame, great honor).
glory < middle english gloire
< old french glorie
< latin gloria
(= glory, fame, great honor).
gloss (= luster) <
(?) scandinavian source.
gloss (= word as an explanation) < middle english glose
< late latin glossa
(= foreign word) < ancient greek
γλώσσα
| glōssa (= tongue, language).
glossary < middle english glossary
< latin glossarium
(= collection of glosses) < ancient
greek γλωσσάριον | glōssarion,
a diminutive of γλώσσα | glōssa (= tongue,
language).
glove < old english glof
< proto-germanic *galofo (= glove) < (?) [prefix] *ga-
(= with, together) + *lofi (= hand).
glow < old english glowan
(= to glow) < proto-germanic
*glo-.
glue < middle english glue < old french glu
(= glue) < vulgar latin
*glutis
/ late latin glus [gen. glutis] (= glue) < latin gluten
(= glue, beeswax).
gluten < middle french gluten
(= sticky substance) < latin gluto [gen. glutonis] (= overeater).
glutton < old french gloton
< latin glutto [gen. gluttonis] (= overeater).
glycerin < glycerine
< french glycérine
< ancient greek γλυκερός | glykeros (= sugary) < γλυκύς | glykys (= sweet).
gnomic < french gnomique
< late latin gnomicus (= didactic) < ancient greek γνωμικός
| gnōmikos < γνώμη | gnōmē (= thought, judgment, opinion) < γιγνώσκω | gignōskō (= come to know) < I.E. *gno-
(= know).
gnomon < latin gnomon < ancient greek γνώμων
| gnōmōn (= indicator) < γιγνώσκω | gignōskō (= come to know) < I.E. *gno-
(= know).
go < old english gan
(= walk, go away, happen) < west
germanic *gaian {> dutch
gaan, old high german gan, german gehen} < I.E. *ghe-
(= to release, let go).
goal < (?) old english *gal
(= obstacle, barrier).
goat < old english gat
(= she-goat) < proto-germanic
*gaito
{> old norse geit, danish gjed, dutch geit,
german Geiß} < I.E.
*ghaid-o-
(= kid, young goat).
god < old english god
< proto-germanic *guthan
{> old norse guð, dutch
god, gothic guþ, old high
german got, german Gott} < (?) 1. I.E. *ghut-
(= that which is invoked) < *gheu(e)-
(= to call, invoke) or 2. I.E. *ghu-to- (= poured) < *gheu- (= to pour, pour a libation).
gold < old english
gold < proto-germanic *gulthan (= gold) {> old norse
gull, danish guld, dutch goud, gothic gulþ, german
Gold} < I.E. *ghel-(2) (= to shine).
golf < middle english golf <
scottish gouf < middle dutch colve / colf
(= stick, club) < proto-germanic
*kulth.
Golgotha < latin
Golgotha
< ancient greek Γολγοθά | Golgotha < aramaic gulgulta (= [place of the] skull).
Gondwana < sanskrit gondavana < vana (= forest) + Gonda
(= fleshy navel, outie belly-button),
a Dravidian people.
good < old english gōd
(= excellent, fine, entire, beneficial,
pious, virtuous) < proto-germanic
*gōda-
(= fitting, suitable) {> old norse goðr, dutch goed, german gut} < I.E. *ghedh-
(= unite, be associated).
goof < american english goof
(= stupid) < (?) english
dialect goff (= foolish clown) <
goffe
< (?) 1. middle french goffe (= stupid) or 2. middle english
goffen
(= speak in a frivolous manner) < (?) old english gegaf
(= buffoonery) / gaffetung (= scolding).
google (= to search on the Google search engine)
[from 2000] < googol (= number represented by 1 followed by 100 zeroes) [from
1940] < (?) [Barney] Google,
a comic strip character.
goose < old english gos
< proto-germanic *gans-
(= goose) {> old norse gas, german Gans} < I.E. *ghans-.
Gordian knot < Gordius
< ancient greek Γόρδιος |
Gordios, king of Phrygia in Asia Minor
[who predicted the one to loosen that difficult knot would rule Asia, but Alexander
the Great finally cut it with his sword].
gore (= thick, clotted blood)
< old english gor (= dirt, dung) < germanic
origin.
gore (= triangular piece
of ground) < old english gara (= corner, point, cape) < proto-germanic *gaizon-.
gorge < middle english gorge
< old french gorge (= throat, narrow passage) < late latin gurges
(= gullet, throat, gulf).
gorgeous < middle english gorgeous
< 1. middle french gorgias (= elegant, fashionable)
< (?) gorgias (= necklace [with jewelry]) < old french gorge (= throat) < late latin gurges
(= gullet, throat) or 2. ancient greek Γοργίας | Gorgias (= Gorgias), famous orator and sophist
(< γοργός | gorgos (= quick)).
gorilla < ancient greek γορίλλαι
| gorillae, plural of female γορίλλα
| gorilla (= wild, hairy being in
Africa [maybe chimpanzee]).
gospel < old english godspel
(= good spell, evangel) [by influence of God]
< gōd (= good) + spel
(= story, message).
gossip < middle english gossip
(= friend, neighbor) < old english godsibb (= sponsor, godparent) < God + sibb
(= relative).
Goth < old english Gota
< late latin Gothus
< ancient greek Γότθος
| Got-thos (= Goth) < gothic *Gutos.
gouache < french gouache
< italian guazzo
(= watercolor) < latin aquatio
(= watering) < aquatus,
past participle of aquor [inf. aquari] (=
bring water for drinking) < aqua
(= water) < I.E. *akwa- (= water).
gourmand < middle english gourmand
< middle french gourmand
(= glutton, overeater).
gourmet < french gourmet
[by influence of middle french gourmant (= glutton)] < old
french groume (= wine-taster,
wine merchant’s servant).
gout < middle english gout
< old french gote (= a drop, gout, rheumatism) < medieval latin gutta
(= gout) < latin gutta
(= a drop).
govern < middle english govern
< old french governer (= steer, rule, command) < latin guberno
[inf. gubernare] (= to steer, pilot,
rule) < ancient greek κυβερνώ | kybernō (= to steer, pilot, guide, govern).
grab < middle dutch / middle
low german grabben (= to grab) <
proto-germanic *grab- / *grap-.
grace < middle english grace
< old french grace (= mercy, favor, thanks, virtue)
< latin gratia
(= favor, esteem, regard) < gratus
(= pleasing).
grade < french grade
(= degree) < latin gradus
(= a step, pace) < gradior
[inf. gradi] (= to walk, step).
graffiti < italian graffiti,
plural of graffito (= a scribbling) < a diminutive of graffio
(= a scratch, scribble) < graffiare
(= to scribble) < ancient greek γράφω | graphō (= write, draw).
graft < middle english graft
< graff < old
french graife (= grafting knife, stylus, pen) [because the pencil-shaped shoot is like a stylus] < latin graphium
(= stylus) < ancient greek
γραφείον
| graphoeon (= stylus) < γράφω | graphō (= write, draw).
grail < middle english gral
(= the Holy Grail) < old french graal
/ greal
(= Holy Grail, cup, dish) < medieval
latin gradalis / gradale / grasale (= flat dish, shallow
vessel) < (?) latin crater (= bowl) < ancient greek
κρατήρ
| kratēr (= large vessel for mixing wine
with water) < κεράννυμι | kerannymi (= to mix).
grain < middle english grain
< old french grain / grein (= seed, grain, berry) < latin granum (= grain, seed).
gram < gramme
< french gramme
< late latin gramma
(= small weight) < ancient greek
γράμμα
| gramma (= letter, small weight) < γράφω | graphō (= write, draw).
grammar < middle english grammar
< old french gramaire
(= grammar, magic incantation, spells) < latin grammatica
(= grammar, philology) < ancient greek γραμματική [τέχνη] | grammatikē [tekhnē] (= [art] of letters) < γραμματική, female of γραμματικός
| grammatikos (= of the letters or learning) <
γράμμα
| gramma (= letter) < γράφω | graphō (= write, draw).
gramophone < ancient greek γράμμα
| gramma (= letter, something written)
(< γράφω | graphō (= write, draw))
+ φωνή
| phōnē (= voice, sound).
grampus < graundepose
[by influence of grand] < middle
english graspeys < anglo-french
grampais < old french graspois
/ craspois
(= whale, whale meat, seal) < medieval
latin craspicis (= great fish, fat fish) < latin crassus (= thick) + piscis
(= fish).
Granada < spanish
Granada
< 1. latin granatum (= pomegranate) < granum
(= grain, seed) or 2. moorish karnattah
(= hill of strangers).
grand < middle english grant
< anglo-french graunt
< old french grand / grant (= large, tall, great, powerful) < latin grandis
(= big, great, full, strong).
grange < middle english grange
< anglo-french graunge / old french grange
(= barn, farm house) < medieval
latin / vulgar latin granica (= barn for keeping grain) < latin granum
(= grain, seed).
granite < french granit(e)
< italian granito (= grained) < granire (= granulate, make grainy) < grano (= grain) < latin granum
(= grain, seed).
grant < middle english graunt
< old french graanter
< creanter
(= promise, confirm, authorize) < latin
credens
[gen. credentis], present participle of
credo
[inf. credere] (= believe, trust).
granular < late latin granulum
(= granule, a little grain) < a diminutive of latin granum
(= grain, seed).
grape < middle english grape
< old french grape (= grape) < (?) graper
(= steal, grasp, pick) < proto-germanic *krappon (= hook).
graphic < latin graphicus
(= picturesque) < ancient greek
γραφικός
| graphikos (= of writing, of drawing,
picturesque) < γραφή
| graphē (= drawing, writing) < γράφω | graphō (= write, draw).
graphite < german Graphit
< ancient greek γράφω | graphō (= write, draw).
grasp < middle english grasp
< grapsen < old
english *græpsan (= to touch, feel)
< proto-germanic *grab- / *grap-.
grass < old english græ(r)s (= herb, grass, plant) < proto-germanic *grasan.
grate < middle english grate
< old french grater (= to scrape, scratch) < frankish *kratton < proto-germanic *krattojan.
grateful < grate
(= pleasant, agreeable) (< latin gratus
(= pleasing, thankful)) + -ful(l) (< proto-germanic
*fullaz
(= full)).
gratify < middle english gratify
< latin gratificor [inf. gratificari] (= do favor to, oblige) (<
gratus
(= pleasing)) + facio [inf. facere] (= make, do).
gratis < middle english gratis
< latin gratis (= for thanks, without recompense)
< gratiis,
ablative plural of gratia (= favor).
gratitude < middle english gratitude
(= good will) < middle french gratitude / medieval latin
gratitudo
(= thankfulness) < latin gratus (= pleasing, thankful).
gratuity < french gratuité
/ medieval latin gratuitas (= free gift) < latin gratuitus (= spontaneous,
voluntary) < gratus (= pleasing, thankful).
gratulation < middle english gratulacyon
(= expression of thanks) < latin
gratulatio
(= a wishing joy, rejoicing) < gratulor [inf. gratulari] (= give thanks, show joy) < gratus (= pleasing, thankful).
grave (= sepulchre) < old english græf (= grave, ditch, trench) < proto-germanic *graba-
/ grafa-.
grave (= respected) < middle french grave
< latin gravis
(= heavy).
gravel < middle english gravel
< old french gravele (= sand, gravel, sea-shore),
a diminutive of grave (= sand, seashore) < (?) celtic *graw-.
gravity < old french gravité
< latin gravitas (= weight, heaviness) < gravis
(= heavy).
gray < old english græg
(= gray) < proto-germanic
*grewa-
(= gray).
grease < middle english grease
< anglo-french grece / old french gresse
/ craisse
(= grease, fat) < vulgar
latin *crassia (= grease) <
latin crassus (= thick, fat).
great < old english great
(= big, tall, thick) < west germanic
*grauta-
(= thick, coarse) {> dutch groot, german groß}.
greave < middle english greave
< old french greve (= shin, armor for the leg).
greedy < old english grædig
/ gredig
(= hungry) < proto-germanic *grædagaz < *græduz.
Greek < old english Grecas
[plural] (= Greeks) < latin
Graeci
< ancient greek Γραικοί | Graekoe, a name used by Illyrians for the Greeks < Γραίοι | Graeoe, native name of the people in Epirus,
or in a town of Boeotia, both regions of Greece.
green < old english grene
/ groene
(= green, growing, living) < groeni < proto-germanic *grōni- {> old norse
grænn, danish grøn, dutch groen, german grün} < I.E. *ghre-
(= grow).
Greenland < old norse
Groenland
[named by its discoverer to attract settlers to go to an island with such a good
name] < groene (= green, growing, living) + land (= ground, soil, territory) (<
proto-germanic *landja-).
Greenwich < old
english Gronewic / Grenewic (= green harbor / green trading place) < grene / groene
(= green, growing, living) + wic (= house, village, town).
greet < old english gretan
(= accost, salute, welcome) < west
germanic *grotjan.
gregarious < latin gregarius
(= of a flock, of the herd, common) <
grex
[gen. gregis] (= flock, herd).
Gregory < late
latin Gregorius < ancient
greek Γρηγόριος | Grēgorios < γρηγορώ | grēgorō (= be watchful, be
awake).
grenade < middle french grenade
[by influence of spanish granada]
< grenate
(= pomegranate) [from its similarity of the shape and the grains that look like
the explosive parts of the bomb] <
old french pome grenate < medieval latin pomum
granatum (= apple with many
grains, pomegranate) < latin
pomum (= apple, fruit) + granatus
(= having grains) (< granum (= grain, seed)).
Grenoble < latin Gratianopolis
< [Flavius] Gratianus, a Roman emperor
+ ancient greek πόλις | polis (= town).
Greta < Gretchen
(q.v.).
Gretchen < german
Gretchen
< Greta
< a diminutive of Margaret < late latin Margarita
< ancient greek μαργαρίτης [λίθος] | margaritēs [lithos] (= pearl [stone]).
grieve < middle english grieve
(= make angry, enrage) < old
french grever (= afflict, oppress)
< latin gravo [inf. gravare] (= make heavy) <
gravis
(= weighty).
Griffith < welsh Gruffydd
< (?) latin Rufus < rufus (= red).
grill < french gril < old french greil
< graille
(= grill, railings, fencing) < latin
craticula
(= gridiron, small griddle), a diminutive of cratis (= wickerwork).
grim < old english grimm
(= cruel, savage) < proto-germanic
*grimma-.
grimace < french grimace
(= grotesque face, ugly mug) < germanic
source.
grind < old english grindan
(= crush, scrape) < proto-germanic
*grindanan.
gringo < american spanish gringo
(= foreigner) < spanish
gringo
(= foreign speech) < (?) griego (= greek).
gripe < middle english gripe
< old english gripan (= grasp at, attack, take) < proto-germanic *gripan.
grippe < (?) french grippe
(= seizure, influenza) < gripper (= to grasp, hook) < proto-germanic *gripanan.
Griselda < italian Grishelda
< german Grishilda < old high german grisja hilda
< grisja
(= gray) + Hilda (= battle-maid) (<
hild (= war, battle) < proto-germanic *hildiz
(= battle).
grisly < old english grislic
(= horrible) < grisan (= to fear) < germanic origin.
grit < old english greot
(= sand, dust, gravel) < proto-germanic
*greutan
(= particles of crushed rock).
groan < old english granian
(= to murmur, lament) < proto-germanic
*grain-.
grocer < middle english grocer
< anglo-french grosser
/ old french grossier < medieval latin grossarius (= wholesaler)
< late latin grossus
(= thick, dense, gross).
groom < middle english grome
(= boy, young man, male servant) <
(?) 1. old french grommet (= boy, young man in service)
or 2. old english *grom(a).
groove < middle english groove
(= cave, mine) < proto-germanic *grobo.
grope < old english grapian
(= seize, touch, attain).
gross < middle english gross
< old french gros (= big, thick, tall, strong, coarse) < late latin grossus
(= thick, dense).
grotesque < middle french crotesque
< italian grottesco
(= of a cave) [from the paintings found in Roman ruins by excavations] < grotta (= cave) < cropta
< latin crypta (= vault, cavern) < ancient greek κρύπτη
| kryptē (= hidden place) < κρύπτω | kryptō (= hide).
ground < old english grund
(= bottom, foundation, surface of the earth) < proto-germanic *grundu- (= deep place).
group < french groupe
(= cluster, group) < italian
gruppo
(= group, knot) < proto-germanic
*kruppaz
(= round mass).
grove < old english graf
(= grove, copse, small wood).
grow < old english growan
(= to flourish, increase) < proto-germanic *gro-.
guarantee < middle english garrant
< old french garant (= protector, warranty) < proto-germanic *war-
(= to warn, guard).
guard < middle english guard
/ old french garder
(= protect, preserve) < frankish
*wardon < proto-germanic *wardon
(= to guard).
Guatemala < american
indian 1. Quauhtemellan (= land of the eagle) or 2. Uhatzmalha (= mountain where
water gushes).
guess < middle english gessen
(= perceive, find out) < proto-germanic *getan (= to get).
guest < old english gæst
/ giest
(= a chance comer, stranger) < proto-germanic
*gastiz.
guide < middle english guide
< old french guider (= to lead, conduct) < guier < frankish *witan
(= show the way) < proto-germanic
*witanan
(= look after, guard) < I.E.
*weid-
(= see).
guild < middle english yilde
< a fusion of 1. old english gegield (= guild, brotherhood) + 2. gield
(= service, payment, tribute) < proto-germanic
*geldja-
(= payment, contribution).
guillotine < french guillotine
< [Joseph] Guillotin, a doctor [who
invented this machine for execution].
guilt < old english gylt
(= crime, sin, moral defect).
guise < middle english guise
< old french guise (= fashion, manner) < frankish *wisa
< proto-germanic *wison
(= appearance, manner) < *wissaz
< I.E. *weid-
(= see).
guitar < french guitare
< old french guiterre < guiterne < latin cithara < ancient greek κιθάρα |
kithara (= cithara).
gulf < middle english gulf
< old french golf (= gulf, whirlpool) < italian golfo
(= gulf, bay) < late latin
colfos < ancient greek κόλπος |
kolpos (= gulf, bay).
gull < middle english gull
< (?) old celtic *voilenno-.
gum (= soft tissues of
the mouth) < old english goma (= palate, side of the mouth) < germanic source.
gum (= resin) < middle english gum
< old french gome (= gum, resin) < late latin gumma < latin gummi < ancient greek κόμμι | kommi (= gum) < egyptian kemai.
gun < 1. middle english gunne
< a shortening of Gunilda, female name < old norse
Gunnhildr
< gunnr
(= war) + hildr (= battle) {> old
high german Hilda (= battle-maid)
[see, also, Griselda], another female name} or 2. (?) old norse gunnr
(= battle).
gurgle < middle english gurgle
< late latin gurgulio [inf. gurguliare] (= to gurgle, rumble).
guru < gooroo
< hindi guru (= teacher, priest) < sanskrit guru-s
(= honored, teacher) < guru-
(= venerable) < I.E. *gwere-(1) (= heavy).
gush < middle english gush
(= to rush out suddenly) < (?) old
norse gusa (= to gush, spurt).
gust < (?) [1. old norse gustr
(= a cold blast of wind) or 2. old high german gussa
(= flood)] < proto-germanic *gustiz.
gusto < italian gusto
(= taste) < latin gustus
(= a tasting).
gut < old english guttas
[plural] (= bowels, entrails) < proto-germanic *gut-.
guy (= small rope, chain,
wire) middle english guy < old french guie
(= a guide, crane) < guier < frankish *witan
(= show the way) < proto-germanic
*witanan
(= look after, guard) < I.E. *weid- (= see).
guy (= fellow) < american
english guy (= fellow) < british english guy (=
poorly dressed person) < guy (= effigy of Guy Fawkes) < Guy [Fawkes], the leader of the Gunpowder Plot (5 November 1605) in
England.
Guy < french Guy, related to italian Guido.
gymnasium < latin gymnasium
(= school for gymnastics) < ancient
greek γυμνάσιον |
gymnasion (= gymnastics school), in plural,
(= bodily exercises) < γυμνάζω | gymnazō (= to exercise, train) < γυμνός | gymnos (= naked) [because the ancient
greek athletes used to be training naked].
gymnastic < latin gymnasticus < ancient greek γυμναστικός |
gymnastikos (= fond of or skilled in bodily
exercise) < γυμνάζω |
gymnazō (= to exercise, train) < γυμνός | gymnos (= naked) [because the ancient
greek athletes used to be training naked].
gynecology < gynaecology
< french gynécologie < ancient greek γυναικός |
gynaekos, genetive of γυνή | gynē (= woman) + -λογία | -logia (= study) (< λόγος | logos (= a speaking) < λέγω | legō (= speak)).
gypsum < middle english gypsum
< latin gypsum < ancient greek γύψος | gypsos (= chalk, cast, plaster) < (?) semitic origin.
Gypsy < gypcian
< Egypcien
(= Egyptian) [the “Little
Egypt” was the supposed origin of this people] (< Egypt < old
english Egipte < french
Egypte < ancient greek Αίγυπτος
| Aegyptos < akkadian Ha(t)-ka-ptah, the name of
the city Memphis < ha(t) (= temple) + ka
(= soul) + Ptah (= [god] Ptah)).
gyration < gyre
(= rotate) < latin gyrus
(= circle, circular course, ring) <
ancient greek γύρος |
gyros (= circle, ring).
gyro < modern greek γύρος | gyros (= a kind of skewer sandwich) < ancient greek γύρος | gyros (= circle, ring).
gyro(scope) < french gyroscope < ancient greek
γύρος | gyros (= circle, ring) + σκοπός |
skopos (= watcher) (< σκέπτομαι |
skeptomae (= watch, examine, think)).
