piano < italian piano,
a shortening of pianoforte < piano
e
forte
(= soft and loud) < latin
planus
(= flat, smooth), et (= and), fortis (= strong).
piazza < italian piazza (=
public square) < latin
platea
(= courtyard, broad street) < ancient
greek πλατεία [‘οδός] | platoea [hodos] (= broad [street]) < πλατύς | platys (= flat,
broad).
pick < middle english picken
/ piken
< (?) a fusion of [old english *pician (= to prick) + old
norse pikka (= to prick, peck)] < germanic source.
pickle < middle english pickle
< (?) middle dutch pekel (= pickle, brine).
picnic < french piquenique
< (?) 1. a reduplication of piquer (= to pick, peck) < old french pic
(= sharp point) or 2. piquer + nique (= worthless thing).
pictogram < latin pictus
(= painted), past participle of pingo [inf. pingere] (= to paint) + -gram (< ancient greek γράμμα
| gramma (= letter) < γράφω | graphō (= write, draw)).
picture < middle english picture
< latin pictura (= painting) < pictus, past participle
of pingo
[inf. pingere] (= to paint).
pie < middle english pie <
medieval latin pie (= meat enclosed in pastry) <
(?) related to pia (= pie, pastry).
piece < middle english piece
< old french piece (= piece, item, coin) < vulgar latin *pettia
< (?) gaulish *pettsi < (?) old celtic
*kwezd-i- < I.E. *kwezd-
(= part, piece).
pierce < middle english pierce
< anglo-french perser / old french percier
(= pierce, drive through) < (?) vulgar latin *pertusio
[inf. pertusiare] < latin
pertusus,
past participle of pertundo [inf. pertundere]
(= thrust through) < per
(= through) + tundo [inf. tundere]
(= to beat).
Pierre < french Pierre
< latin Petrus < ancient greek Πέτρος
| Petros < πέτρα | petra (= stone, rock).
pierrot < french Pierrot,
a diminutive of Pierre (q.v.).
piety < middle english piety
< old french piete (= piety, pity, compassion) < latin pietas
(= sense of duty, piety, pity) < pius (= kind).
pig < (?) old english *picg
(= young pig).
pigeon < middle english pigeon
< old french pigeon (= young dove) < (?) vulgar
latin *pibio < late latin pipio (= squab, young chirping bird) < pipio [inf. pipire] (= to peep, chirp) < imitative origin.
pigment < middle english pigment
< latin pigmentum (= coloring matter,
pigment, paint) < pingo
[inf. pingere] (= to paint).
pike (= highway) < a
shortening of turnpike.
pike (= spear) < middle french pique
(= spear, pikeman) < piquer
(= to pick, pierce) < old
french pic (= sharp point) < (?) germanic / celtic source.
Pilate < latin Pilatus
(= armed with javelin) < pilum (= javelin).
Pilates < [1980] [Joseph] Pilates, physical fitness
teacher.
pile (= mass) < middle
english pile (= pillar, pier
of a bridge) < middle french
pile
< latin pila (= stone barrier, pillar).
pile (= raised surface
upon cloth) < middle english
pile (= downy plumage) < [anglo-french
pyle
/ middle dutch pijl] < latin pilus
(= hair).
pilgrim < middle english pilegrim
< old french pelerin / peregrin (= pilgrim,
crusader, foreigner) < late
latin pelegrinus < latin peregrinus (= foreigner) < peregre (= from abroad) (< per
(= through) + agri, locative of ager (= field, country, land).
pill < middle english pile
< [middle dutch / middle low german pille
/ middle french pile] < latin pilula
(= little ball, pill), a diminutive of pila (= ball, playing ball) < (?)
pilus
(= hair).
pillage < middle english pillge
< old french pilage (= plunder) < pillier
(= to plunder) < (?) vulgar latin *pilio [inf. piliare] (= to plunder) < (?) latin
pilo
[inf. pilare] (= to strip of hair) < pilus (= hair).
pillar < middle english pillar
< old french piler (= pillar, column) < medieval
latin pilare < latin
pila
(= pillar, stone barrier).
pilot < middle french pillote
< italian piloto
< old italian pedoto < medieval greek
*πηδότης | *pēdotēs (= rudder, helmsman) < ancient greek πηδόν | pēdon (= steering oar).
pin < old english pinn
(= peg, bolt) < proto-germanic
*penn-
(= jutting point) < latin pinna (= feather, plume).
PIN < [1981] an acronym for Personal Identification Number.
pinch < middle english pinch
< old french *pinchier (= to pinch, squeeze) <
(?) vulgar latin *punctio [inf. punctiare] (= to pierce) < (?) a blend of latin punctum
(= point) + *picco [inf. piccare]
(= to pierce).
pine (= pine tree) < old english pin
< old french pin
< latin pinus (= pine tree).
pine (= lanquish) < old english pinian
(= to torture) < *pine
(= pain, punishment) < (?) latin poena (= punishment) < ancient greek ποινή
| poenē (= penalty).
pineapple < middle french pineapple
(= pine cone) < pine + apple.
ping-pong <
[1900] ping + pong < imitative of the sound.
pink < (?) 1. pink
(= pierce, stab) or 2. old english pyngan < latin
pungo
[inf. pungere] (= to prick, pierce)
or 3. dutch pink (= small) < pinck [oogen] (=
half-closed, small [eyes]).
pinnace < middle french pinace
< spinace
< old french espinace
< (?) italian pinaccia / spanish pinaza
< pino (= pine tree, ship) < latin pinus
(= pine tree, ship, vessel).
pioneer < middle french pionnier
< old french paonier
(= foot-soldier) < peon
< pe(h)on (= a foot-soldier, a chess pawn) < medieval latin pedo [gen. pedonis] (= foot soldier) < late latin pedo
[gen. pedonis] (= going on foot) < latin pes
[gen. pedis] (= foot) < I.E.
*ped-
(= foot).
pip < a shorteninig
of pipin
(= seed) < old french pepin.
pipe < old
english pipe < vulgar
latin *pipa (= pipe, musical wind instrument) {> italian
pipa, french pipe, swedish pipa, danish pibe, dutch
pijp, german Pfeife} < latin
pipo
[inf. pipare] (= to chirp, peep) <
imitative origin.
pippin < middle english pipin
(= seed) < old french pepin.
piranha < portuguese piranha < tupi (of Brazil) pira
nya
(= fish biting).
pirate < middle english pirate
< latin pirata
(= sailor, corsair) < ancient
greek πειρατής | poeratēs
(= pirate, sea robber) < πειρώ | poerō (= to attack, try) < πείρα | poera (= trial, attempt, attack).
pirogi < russian pirogi,
plural of pirog (= meat pie).
pirogue < french pirogue
< (?) galibi (of Caribbean sea) piragua
(= dug-out).
pirouette < french pirouette
< middle french pirouet
(= spinning top) < gallo-roman
*pir-
(= peg, plug).
Pisces < old english Pisces
< latin pisces, plural of piscis (= fish) < I.E.
*pisk-
(= a fish).
piscine < middle english piscine
< old french piscine (= fishpond) < latin piscina (= fishpond, lake) < piscis (= fish) < I.E. *pisk- (= fish).
piss < middle english piss
< old french pissier (= urinate) < vulgar latin *pissio
[inf. pissiare] (= urinate) < imitative origin.
pistachio < italian pistacchio < latin pistacium
(= pistachio nut) < ancient greek
πιστάκιον
| pistakion (= pistachio nut) < πιστάκη | pistakē (= pistachio tree) < persian pistah
(= pistachio).
pistol < middle french pistole
(= short firearm) < (?) german Pistole < czech pis’tala
(= tube, pipe, firearm) < pisteti
(= to whistle) < imitative origin.
piston < french piston < middle french piston
(= large pestle) < old italian
pistone
(= piston) < pestone (= pestle) <
pestare
(= to pound) < late latin
pisto
[inf. pistare] (= to pound) < latin pinso [inf. pinsere] (= to pound).
pit < old
english pytt (= well, pit, grave)
< proto-germanic *putt- (= pool, puddle) < latin
puteus
(= well, pit, shaft).
pitch (= tar) < middle
english pich < old english pic (= pitch) < germanic source.
pitch (= thrust in) <
middle english pitch (= fasten, settle) < (?) old english *piccean.
pity < middle english pity
< old french pite(t) (= pity, mercy,
care, compassion) < latin
pietas
(= sense of duty, piety, pity) < pius (= kind).
pivot < french pivot < old french pivot
(= hinge pin, pivot).
pixel < [1969] pix (< pics,
a shortening of picture) + el- (< element).
pizza < italian pizza
< (?) 1. late latin picea [placenta] (= tarred-like [pie]) < latin piceus
(= tarred) < pix [gen. picis] (= tar) or 2. italian [dialectal]
pinza
(= clamp) < latin pinso [inf. pinsere] (= to pound, stamp) or 3. medieval greek πίττα
| pitta (= pie) or 4. germanic
source.
placate < 1. placation < french placation
< latin placation (= a pacifying) < placo
[inf. placare] (= to calm, quiet)
< placeo
[inf. placere] (= to please) or 2. latin
placatus,
past participle of placo [inf. placare]
< placeo
[inf. placere].
place < middle english place
< old french place (= place, spot) < medieval
latin placea (= place, spot)
< latin platea (= courtyard, broad street) < ancient greek πλατεία
[‘οδός] | platoea [hodos] (= broad [street]) < πλατύς | platys (= flat,
broad).
placebo (= a medicine to please than to benefit) < middle english placebo
(= the rite of Vespers of the Office of the Dead) [so called from placebo, the first word of its antiphon] < latin placebo
(= I shall please), future tense of placeo [inf. placere] (= to please).
plage < middle english plage
< old french plage < late latin plagia (= plain, shore) < latin plaga(2)
(= region, climate).
plague < middle english plage
< old french plage
< late latin plaga
< latin plaga(1) (= stroke, wound) <
(?) plango
[inf. plangere] (= to strike).
plain < middle english plain
< old french plain (= open countryside) < latin planum
(= level ground, plain) < planum, neuter of planus
(= flat, level).
plan < french plan
(= ground plan, map) < latin
planum
(= level ground, plain) < planum, neuter of planus
(= flat, level).
plane (= flat surface) < latin planum (= level ground, plain) < planum,
neuter of planus (= flat,
level).
plane (= plane tree) < middle english plane
< old french plane < plasne < latin platanus < ancient greek πλάτανος |
platanos < πλατάνιστος |
platanistos (= plane tree).
planet < old english planete < old french planete
< late latin planeta < ancient greek πλανήτης |
planētēs < πλανήτης [αστήρ] | planētēs [astēr] (= wandering [star])
< πλανώμαι |
planōmae (= to wander).
planetarium < modern latin planetarium
< late latin planeta
[see planet] + latin -arium
(= place for).
plank < middle english plank
< old french planke < planche (= plank, slab) < late latin planca
(= broad slab) < (?) latin plancus (= flat).
plankton < german Plankton
< ancient greek πλαγκτόν |
plagkton, neuter of πλαγκτός |
plagktos (= wandering, drifting) <
πλάζω | plazō (= drive astray).
plant < old english plante
< latin planta
(= sprout, shoot) < (?) *planto [inf. plantare] (= drive in with the feet, push in with the feet) < planta (= sole of the
foot).
plaque < french plaque
(= metal plate, coin) < (?) flemish placke (= small coin) < middle dutch placke
(= disk, patch).
plasma < late latin plasma < ancient greek πλάσμα |
plassma (= something created, image,
figure) < πλάσσω |
plassō (= to mold).
plaster < old english plaster
< vulgar latin *plastrum
< latin emplastrum (= plaster) < ancient greek έμπλαστρον |
emplastron (= salve, plaster) < έμπλαστρον, neuter of εμπλαστρός | emplastros < εμπλαστός | emplastos (= daubed on) < εμπλάσσω | emplassō
(= to mold in) < εν | en (= in, on) + πλάσσω |
plassō (= to mold).
plastic < latin plasticus < ancient greek πλαστικός |
plastikos (= able to be molded, fit
for molding) < πλαστός |
plastos (= molded, formed) < πλάσσω |
plassō (= to mold).
plate < middle english plate < old french
plate (=
metal sheet) < medieval latin plata
(= plate, metal piece) < (?) vulgar latin *plattus < ancient
greek πλατύς |
platys (= flat, broad).
plateau < french plateau
(= table-land) < old french
platel
(= flat piece), a diminutive of plat
(= flat surface) < plat (= flat) < vulgar latin
*plattus < ancient greek πλατύς |
platys (= flat, broad).
platform < middle french plateforme
< platte
fourme (= flat form) < old french plat
(= flat) + forme (= form).
platinum < modern latin platinum < spanish platina (= platinum), a diminutive of plata
(= silver) [because this metal looks
like silver] < old french
plate (=
metal sheet) < medieval latin plata
(= plate, metal piece) < (?) vulgar latin *plattus < ancient
greek πλατύς |
platys (= flat, broad).
platitude < french platitude
(= flatness) < old french
plat
(= flat) < vulgar latin *plattus < ancient greek πλατύς | platys (= flat, broad) [on model of latitude].
platonic < latin Platonicus < ancient greek Πλατωνικός |
Platōnikos (= of Plato) < Πλάτων |
Platōn (= Plato), the philoshopher (<
πλατύς |
platys (= broad)).
platoon < french peloton
(= platoon, group of people) < middle
french peloton (= little
ball) < a diminutive of old french pelote (= ball) < medieval
latin pelotis < vulgar
latin *pilotta < a diminutive of latin pila
(= ball, playing ball) < (?) pilus
(= hair).
play < old english pleg(i)an (= move rapidly, exercise,
occupy) < proto-west germanic
*plegōjanan
(= occupy about).
plea < anglo-french plai
/ old french plait (= lawsuit, decision) < medieval latin placitum
(= lawsuit) < latin
placitum
(= opinion, decree), neuter past
participle of placeo [inf. placere]
(= to please).
please < middle english please
< old french plaisir (= to please, satisfy) < latin placeo
[inf. placere] (= to please, be
liked).
plebeian < latin plebeius
(= belonging to the plebs) < pleb(e)s (= the populace,
the common people) [as opposite to patricians].
pledge < middle english pledge
< old french plege (= hostage, security) < (?) frankish *plegan
(= to guarantee) < west germanic
*pleg-
(= have responsibility for).
plenty < middle english plenty
< old french plentee < plentet (= abundance) < latin plenitas
(= fullness) < plenus (= full, filled, abundant, complete).
plot (= make a diagram)
< old english plot
(= small piece of ground).
plow < old english plog
/ ploh
(= plow, plowland) < proto-germanic *plogo-.
plug < (?) dutch plug
< middle dutch plugge (= bung, stopper).
plum < old english plume
(= plum) < vulgar latin
*pruna < latin prunum
(= plum) < ancient greek
προύνον |
prounon < προύμνον |
proumnon (= plum).
plumb < middle english plumb
< old french *plombe / plomee < late
latin *plumba [plural] < latin plumbum (= lead metal,
lead ball, pipe).
plunge < middle english plunge
< old french plongier (= sink into, dive in) < vulgar latin *plumbico
[inf. plumbicare] (= heave the lead) < latin plumbum
(= lead metal, lead ball, pipe).
plural < middle english plural
< old french plurel < latin pluralis (= belonging to more than
one) < plus [gen. pluris] (= more), comparative of multus (= much).
plus < latin plus
(= more), comparative of multus (= much).
Pluto < latin Pluto(n), the god of the underworld < ancient greek Πλούτων |
Ploutōn, the god of wealth and underworld [where there are metals and gems] < πλούτος | ploutos (= wealth, riches).
p.m. < an
abbreviation of latin post meridiem (=
after noon) < post (= after) + meridiem (= noon) (< medius
(= middle) + dies (= day)).
pneumatic < latin pneumaticus
(= of the wind) < ancient greek
πνευματικός |
pneumatikos (= of the wind, of the
air, of spirit) < πνεύμα |
pneuma [gen. πνεύματος | pneumatos]
(= wind, breath) < πνέω | pneō (= to blow, to breathe).
pneumonia < modern latin pneumonia
< ancient greek πνευμονία |
pneumonia (= inflammation of the
lungs) < πνεύμων |
pneumōn (= lung) [by influence of πνέω | pneō (= to breathe)] < πλεύμων |
pleumōn (= lung).
Pocahontas < algonquian
Pokachantesu
(= she is playful).
pock < old english pocc
(= pustule, blister) < proto-germanic
*puh(h)-
(= to swell up).
pocket < middle english pokete,
(= bag, small sack) < anglo-french pokete
< a diminutive of old french poque (= bag) < proto-germanic *puk-
podium < latin podium
(= raised platform) < ancient
greek πόδιον | podion (=
foot of a vase), a diminutive of πους | pous [gen. ποδός | podos] (= foot).
poem < middle french poème
< latin poema
< ancient greek ποίημα
| poeēma (= thing made, poem) < ποιώ | poeō (=
make, create, compose).
poet < middle english poet
< old french poete
< latin poeta < ancient greek ποιητής | poeētēs (= maker, author, poet) < ποιώ | poeō (=
make, create, compose).
pogrom < yiddish pogrom < russian pogromu
(= devastation, destruction) < po-
(= by, through, behind) + gromu (= thunder, roar) (<
I.E. *ghrem-).
point < middle english point
< old french pointe (= point), point
(= dot) < latin puncta,
punctum,
female and neuter past participle of pungo [inf. pungere] (= to prick, pierce).
poison < middle english poison
< old french poison / puison (= drink, medical
drink, poisonous drink) < latin
potio
(= a drink, poisonous drink) < poto
[inf. potare] (= to drink) < I.E.
*po(i)-
(= to drink).
poke (= small sack)
< middle english poke < (?) old french
poque
(= purse, purse-net) < proto-germanic *puk-.
poke (= to push) < middle english
puken
(= to poke, nudge) < (?) middle dutch poken (= to poke) / middle
low german poken (= to stick with a knife) < proto-germanic
*puk-.
poker < american
english poker < 1. german Pochspiel, a card game < pochen (= to knock, to
brag as a bluff) or 2. french poque, a card game.
Poland < Pole
(< german Pole,
singular of Polen < polish
Polanie
(= Poles) < pole (= field)) + land.
pole < middle english pole
< old french pole < latin polus
(= end of an axis, sky) < ancient
greek πόλος | polos (=
pivot, axis of a sphere, sky).
Pole < german Pole,
singular of Polen < polish
Polanie
(= Poles) < pole (= field) < I.E.
*pele-(2) (= flat, to spread).
polemic < french polémique
< ancient greek πολεμικός | polemikos (= of war, warlike)
< πόλεμος | polemos (=
war).
police < middle french police
(= civil regulation) < latin politia (= civil administration) < ancient greek πόλις
| polis (= city).
policy < middle french police
(= contract) < italian polizza
(= evidence of a transaction) < old
italian poliza < medieval
latin apodissa (= receipt for money) < ancient greek απόδειξις | apodoexis (= proof, declaration)
< απoδείκνυμι |
apodoeknymi (= prove) < από | apo (= of) + δείκνυμι |
doeknymi (= to show).
polish < middle english polischen
< old french polir
(= to polish, decorate) < latin polio
[inf. polire] (= make smooth,
decorate).
polite < middle english polite
< latin politus
(= refined, elegant) < politus, past participle of polio
[inf. polire] (= make smooth,
decorate).
politic < middle english politic
< middle french
politique
< latin politicus (= civic, civil) < ancient greek πολιτικός
| politikos (= of citizens, of public
life) < πολίτης | politēs (= citizen) < πόλις | polis (= city).
poll < poll (= head) < middle
english polle (= hair of the head, head, person) < middle low german / middle dutch pol
(= head, top).
pollen < latin pollen
(= mill dust, fine flour, pollen).
pollution < middle english pollution < late latin pollutio
(= defilement) < latin polluo
[inf. polluere] (= to soil, defile) < por- (= before) + luo
[inf. luere] (= to smear).
polo < anglo-indian polo < balti (of Tibet) polo (= ball), related to tibetan
pulu (= ball).
poltroon < middle french poultron
(= rascal, coward) < italian
poltrone
(= lazy, coward) < *poltro (= couch, bed) < 1. germanic
source or 2. latin pullus (= young animal).
polyester < poly-
{< polymer < (?) german Polymere < ancient greek πολυμερής
| polymerēs (= having many parts) < πολύς | polys (= many) + μέρος | meros (= part)} + ester {< (?) german Essigäther
< Essig (= vinegar) + Äther (= ether)}.
polygon < latin polygonum < ancient greek πολύγωνον
| polygōnon, neuter of πολύγωνος
| polygōnos (= many-angled) < πολύς | polys (= many) + γωνία | gōnia (= angle, corner).
polygraph < ancient greek πολυγράφος
| polygraphos (= writing much) < πολύς
| polys (= many) + -γράφος
| -graphos (= writer) (<
γράφω
| graphō (= write, draw)).
Polynesia < french Polynésie
< ancient greek πολύς | polys (= many) + νήσος | nēsos (= island).
pomade < middle french pommade
(= ointment) < italian pomata < pomo (= apple) < latin pomum
(= fruit, apple).
pome < middle english pome < old french pome
(= apple) < vulgar latin
*poma
< latin pomum
(= fruit, apple).
pommel < middle english pommel
< old french pomel
(= rounded knob) < a diminutive of
pom
(= hilt of a sword) < late
latin pomellum (= small apple) < a diminutive of latin pomum
(= fruit, apple).
pomp < middle english pomp < old french pompe
(= pomp, magnificence) < latin pompa (= procession,
pomp) < ancient greek πομπή
| pompē (= solemn procession,
display) < πέμπω | pempō (= to send).
Pompeii < oscan
pompe
(= five) [so called in reference to five districts of this town] < I.E. *penkwe-
(= five) {> latin quinque,
ancient greek πέντε | pente}.
pompom < pompon (= tuft-like
flower head) < french pompon,
(?) related to old french pompe (= pomp).
ponder < middle english ponder
< old french ponderer
(= to weigh, poise) < latin pondero [inf. ponderare] (= to weigh, ponder, consider) < pondus [gen. ponderis]
(= weight) < pendo [inf. pendere]
(= to hang).
pontifex < latin pontifex
(= high priest) < (?) pons [gen. pontis] (= bridge) + facio [inf. facere] (= make, do).
pony < powny
< scottish powny < french poulenet
(= little foal) < a diminutive of old french poulain (= foal) < late latin pullanus
(= young of an animal) < latin
pullus
(= young animal).
pooh < old
english pyffan (= blow with the mouth) < imitative origin.
pool (= small body of water) < old
english pol (= small body of water)
< proto-west germanic *pol-.
pool (game similar to
billiards) < pool, a card game with stakes < french poule (= stakes) < old french poille
(= hen, young fowl) < vulgar
latin *pulla < latin pullus (= young animal).
poor < middle english poor
< old french povre
(= poor, wretched, weak) < latin
pauper
(= poor, weak).
pop (= hit with explosive sound) < middle
english pop < imitative
origin.
pop (= popular) <
an abbreviation of popular (= public) < middle french populier
< latin popularis (= public, general,
common) < populus (= people).
pope < old english papa
< latin papa
(= tutor, bishop, pope) < ancient
greek πάπας | papas (= father,
patriarch, bishop).
poplin < french papeline
(= cloth of fine silk) [a reference to Avignon, papal residence during the
schism of 13c., center of silk manufacture] < (?) provençal papalino,
female of papalin (= of the pope)
< medieval latin papalis (= papal) < papa (= tutor, bishop,
pope) < ancient greek πάπας
| papas (= father, patriarch,
bishop).
poppy < old english popig
/ popæg < west germanic *papua-
< (?) vulgar latin *papavum < latin papaver (= poppy).
popular < middle english popular
< middle french populier < latin popularis
(= public, general, common) < populus
(= people).
population < late latin populatio)
(= a people, a multitude) < latin
populus
(= people).
porcelain < middle french porcelaine
< italian porcellana (= cowrie shell,
porcelain) [so called from resemblance to the shiny surface of a shell] < porcella
(= young sow) < latin porcella, female of porcellus
(= young pig), a diminutive of porculus (= piglet), a diminutive of
porcus
(= pig) < I.E. *porko- (= young pig).
porch < middle french porch
< old french porche
(= porch, vestibule) < latin
porticus
(= covered gallery, arcade, portico) <
porta
(= gate, door, entrance).
pork < middle french pork
< old french porc
(= pig, swine) < latin porcus (= pig) < I.E. *porko- (= young pig).
pornography < french pornographie < ancient greek πορνογράφος
| pornographos < πόρνη | pornē (=
prostitute) + -γράφος | -graphos (= writer) (<
γράφω
| graphō (= write, draw)).
port (= harbor) < old english port
< old french port < latin portus (= entrance, port, harbor).
port (= gateway) < old english port
< old french porte
(= gate, entrance) < latin
porta
(= entrance, city gate, gate, door).
portfolio < porto
folio
< italian portafoglio
(= case for papers) < porta,
imperative of porto [inf. portare]
(= carry) + foglio (= sheet, leaf)
< latin porto [inf. portare] (= carry), folium (= leaf).
portion < middle french portion
< old french porcion
(= part, portion) < latin portio (= share, part).
portmanteau < middle french portemanteau
(= traveling bag) < porte,
imperative of porter (= carry) (< latin porto [inf. portare] (= carry)) + manteau
(= cloak, mantle) (< old french mantel < latin mantellum
(= cloak)).
portrait < portraiture
/ middle french portrait < old french portret, past participle of portraire
(= to paint) [see portray].
portray < middle english portray
< anglo-french purtraire / old french portraire
(= to paint) < por-
(= forth) (< latin por-, pro (= forth)) + traire
(= trace, draw) (< latin traho [inf. trahere] (= to drag, draw)).
Portugal < middle english Portyngale < medieval latin Portus
Cale
1. (= warm Port) (< latin
portus
(= harbor, port), caldus (= warm)) or 2. (=
Port of Gaya).
pose < middle english
posen
< old french poser
(= put, place) < late latin
pauso
[inf. pausare] (= to halt, pause) < pausa (= a halt, stop) < ancient greek παύσις
| pafsis (= a stopping) < παύω | pavō (= to stop, pause).
position < middle english position
< old french posicion < latin positio (= situation, position) <
pono
[inf. ponere] (= put, place).
positive < middle english positive
< old french positif < latin positivus
(= positive) < positus,
past participle of pono [inf. ponere] (=
put, place).
possess < middle english possess
< possession / old french possesser (= have and hold)
< latin possideo
[inf. possidere] (= have and hold,
own) < (?) potis (= powerful, able) + sedeo [inf. sedere] (= to sit).
possible < middle english possible
< old french possible < latin possibilis
(= that can be done) < possum
[inf. posse] (= be able) < potis
(= powerful, able) + sum [inf. esse] (= I am).
post (= place when on
duty) < middle french poste
(= place for station, station for post horses) < italian posto (= post, station) < vulgar latin *postum < latin positum,
neuter past participle of pono [inf. ponere] (= to put, place).
post (= pole) < old english / old french post
< latin postis (= door, post, doorpost) <
(?) por-,
pro
(= forth) + sto [inf. stare] (=
to stand).
pot < old english pott
/ old french pot (= pot, container) < vulgar
latin *pottus (= pot).
potato < spanish patata < (language of Haiti) batata (= sweet potato).
potential < middle english potential
< old french potenciel < late latin
potentialis
(= potential) < latin potentia
(= power, might, force) < potens
(= powerful) < potis
(= powerful, able).
potpourri < pot-pourri
< french pot
pourri
(= rotten pot, stew) < pourri,
past participle of pourrir (= to rot) (< vulgar latin *putrio
[inf. putrire] < latin putresco [inf. putrescere] (= grow rotten) < putreo [inf. putrere] (= to rot)).
pound < old
english pund < proto-germanic
*punda-
(= pound) < latin pondus (= weight) < pendo [inf. pendere] (= to hang).
pour < middle english pour
< (?) old french purer (= to sift grain, pour out) < latin puro
[inf. purare] (= purify) < purus (= pure).
p.o.v. < an acronym of
point of
view.
poverty < middle english poverty
< old french poverte (= poverty, misery) < latin paupertas
(= poverty) < pauper (= poor).
powder < middle english powder
< old french poudre (= dust, powder, ashes) < pouldre
< latin pulvis
[gen. pulveris] (= dust, powder).
power < middle english power
< anglo-french pouair / old french povoir
(= to be able) < podir
< vulgar latin *poteo
[inf. potere] (= to be able) < latin potis
(= powerful, able).
practical < middle english practicale
< middle english practic / old french practique < late latin practicus (= practical, active) < ancient greek πρακτικός
| praktikos (= fit for action,
practical, effective) < πρακτός
| praktos (= done) < πράττω
| prattō (= do, act).
practice < middle english practice
< old french practiser (= to practice) < practiquer < medieval latin practico
[inf. practicare] (= do, perform) < late latin practicus
(= practical) < ancient greek
πρακτικός
| praktikos (= fit for action,
practical, effective) < πρακτός
| praktos (= that to be done) < πράττω
| prattō (= do, act).
praenomen < latin praenomen
< prae (= before) + nomen
(= name).
praetor < middle english praetor
< latin praetor (= consul, leader of army) < prae (= before) + eo
[inf. ire] (= go).
pragmatic < pragmatical
/ middle french pragmatique < latin pragmaticus < ancient greek πραγματικός | pragmatikos (= fit for business, active) < πράγμα | pragma [gen.
πράγματος | pragmatos] (= thing, matter) < πράττω | prattō (= do, act).
Prague < czech
Praha
< (?) 1. related to pražiti (= forest cleared by burning)
or 2. < prah (= threshold).
prairie < french prairie
(= grassland) < old french
prairie
(= pastureland) < vulgar
latin *prataria < latin
pratum
(= meadow).
praise < middle english praise
< old french preisier < prisier (= to praise,
value) < late latin precio
[inf. preciare] < pretio
[inf. pretiare] (= to value) < latin
pretium
(= reward, prize, value).
praline < prawlin
< french praline < [Duplessis]-Praslin,
a marshal [whose cook invented this sweet].
pray < middle english pray
< old french preier (= to pray) < vulgar latin *preco
[inf. precare] < latin precor [inf. precari] (= beg, entreat)
< *prex [gen. precis] (= prayer, request).
preach < old english preachen < old french preechier
(= to preach) < late latin
praedico
[inf. praedicare] (= proclaim,
announce, preach) < latin
prae
(= before) + dico [inf. dicare] (=
proclaim, say).
precaution < middle english precaution
< french précaution < late latin
praecautio
(= a safeguarding) < latin praecaveo
[inf. praecavere] (= to guard) < prae (= before) + caveo
[inf. cavere] (= protect).
precede < middle english precede
< middle french preceder < latin praecedo
[inf. praecedere] (= go before) < prae (= before) + cedo
[inf. cedere] (= go).
precious < middle english precious
< old french precios (= costly, honorable) < latin pretiosus
(= costly, valuable) < pretium
(= value, worth, price).
precipitate < middle english precipitate
< latin praecipitatus, past participle of praecipito
[inf. praecipitare] (= throw
headlong) < praeceps [gen. praecipitis] (= steep, headlong) < prae
(= before) + caput [gen. capitis] (=
head).
precise < middle english precise
< middle french précis (= condensed, cut short) <
medieval latin precisus < latin praecisus, past participle of praecido
[inf. praecidere] (= cut off,
shorten) < prae (= before) + caedo
[inf. caedere] (= to cut).
precocious < latin praecox
[gen. praecocis] (= maturing early) < prae (= before) + coquo [inf. coquere] (= to cook, ripen).
prediction < middle french prédiction
< medieval latin predictio < latin praedictio
(= a foretelling) < praedicatus, past participle of praedico
[inf. praedicere] (= foretell,
advise) < prae (= before) + dico
[inf. dicere] (= to say).
preface < middle english preface
< old french preface < medieval latin
prefatia < latin praefatio
(= fore-speaking, introduction) < praefor
[inf. praefari] (= say beforehand) < prae (= before) + for
[inf. fari] (= speak).
prefer < middle english prefer
< old french preferer < latin praefero
[inf. praeferre] (= set before) < prae (= before) + fero
[inf. ferre] (= to carry).
pregnant < middle english pregnant
< latin praegnans [gen. praegnantis] (= pregnant) < (?) prae (= before) + gnascor
[inf. gnasci] (= be born).
prehension < latin prehensio
< prehendo
[inf. prehendere] (= seize) < prae
(= before) + -hendo [inf. -hendere] (= take).
prelude < middle french prélude
< medieval latin preludium
(= prelude, preliminary) < latin
praeludo
[inf. praeludere] (= to play
beforehand) < prae (= before) + ludo
[inf. ludere] (= to play).
premier < middle english premier
< middle french premier (= first, chief) < latin primarius
(= of the first rank, chief, principal)
< primus (= first).
premium < latin praemium
(= reward) < prae (= before) + emo
[inf. emere] (= buy).
prepare < middle english prepare
< middle french preparer < latin praeparo [inf. praeparare] (= make ready beforehand) < prae (= before) + paro [inf. parare] (= make ready).
presbyopia < modern latin presbyopia
< ancient greek πρέσβυς | presbys (= old man, aged) + οψ | ōps [gen. ωπός | opos] (= eye).
presbyter < late latin presbyter
(= a priest) < ancient greek πρεσβύτερος | presbyteros (= older), comparative of πρέσβυς | presbys (= old man, aged).
present < middle english present
< old french present < latin praesens
[gen. presentis], present participle
of præsum [inf. præesse] (= be before, be at hand) < prae (= before) + sum [inf. esse] (= I am).
preserve < middle english preserve
< anglo-french preservare / old french preserver < medieval latin preservo
[inf. preservare] (= keep, preserve) < late latin praeservo
[inf. praeservare] (= guard
beforehand) < latin prae
(= before) + servo [inf. servare]
(= to keep safe).
president < middle english president
< old french president < latin praesidens
[gen. praesidentis], present
participle of praesideo [inf. praesidere]
(= stand guard, act as chief) < prae
(= before) + sedeo [inf. sedere]
(= to sit).
press < middle english press
< old french presser (= squeeze) < latin presso
[inf. pressare] (= to press) < pressus,
past participle of premo [inf. premere]
(= to press, cover, compress).
pressure < middle english pressure
< old french presseure (= oppression, anguish,
press) < latin pressura (= action of pressing) < pressus, past participle
of premo
[inf. premere] (= to press, cover,
compress).
prestigious < latin praestigious
(= full of tricks) < praestigiae
[plural] (= juggler’s tricks) < (?) praestrigiae < praestringo [inf. praestringere]
(= to blind, blindfold) < prae
(= before) + stringo [inf. stringere]
(= to tie, bind).
presume < middle english presume
< old french presumer < latin praesumo
[inf. praesumere] (= anticipate,
assume) < prae (= before) + sumo
[inf. sumere] (= take, obtain, buy) (<
sub
(= under) + emo [inf. emere] (=
take).
pret a porter < french prêt
à porter (= ready to wear) <
prêt
(= ready) (< latin praestus (= ready)) + à
(= to, for) (< latin
ad
(= to)) + porter (= to carry) (< latin porto
[inf. portare] (= to carry)).
pretend < middle english pretend
< old french pretendre < latin praetendo [inf. praetendere] (= put forward, allege) < prae (= before) + tendo
[inf. tendere] (= to stretch).
pretty < old english prættig
/ pretti
(= skillful, artful, wily) < prætt
/ *prett
(= trick, wile, craft) < proto-germanic
*pratt-.
prevent < middle english prevent
< latin praeventus, past participle of praevenio
[inf. praevenire] (= come before,
anticipate, prevent) < prae
(= before) + venio [inf. venire]
(= to come).
previous < latin praevius
(= going before) < prae
(= before) + via (= road).
price < middle english pris
< old french pris
(= price, value, reward, honor, fame) <
late latin precium < latin pretium (= reward, prize, value).
prick < old english prician
(= to prick, pierce, sting) < west
germanic *prikojan.
pride < old english pryto
/ prede
/ pride (= pride, pomp)
< prud < old french prud < prouz
(= brave, valiant) < late
latin prode (= advantageous) < latin prosum
[inf. prodesse] (= be useful) < pro (= before) + sum
[inf. esse] (= I am).
priest < old english preost
< (?) germanic prestar / prestere < vulgar latin *prester (= priest) < late latin presbyter
< ancient greek πρεσβύτερος
| presbyteros (= elder, presbyter),
comparative of πρέσβυς | presbys (=
old man, aged).
prime < middle english prime
< latin primus (= first, chief, principal).
primitive < middle english primitive
< old french primitif (= original) < latin
primitivus
(= first, earliest) < primitus
(= at first) < primus
(= first, chief, principal).
prince < middle english prince
< old french prince (= prince, noble) < latin princeps
(= first man, chief leader,
ruler) < primus (= first) + capio
[inf. capere] (= take, hold).
principle < middle english principle
< anglo-french principle / old french principe
(= origin, principle) < latin
principium
(= a beginning, origin) < princeps [gen. principis] (= first man, chief leader, ruler) < primus (= first) + capio [inf. capere] (= take, hold).
print < middle english print
< old french preinte (= impression), female past
participle of preindre (= to press, crush) < prembre < latin premo
[inf. premere] (= to press, cover).
prior < latin prior
(= former, previous, first), comparative of old latin pri
(= before).
priority < middle english priority
< old french priorite < medieval latin prioritas (= fact of being prior) <
latin prior (= former, previous, first), comparative of old latin
pri
(= before).
Priscilla < latin Priscilla,
female of Priscillus, a diminutive of Priscus < priscus (= antique,
ancient, primitive).
prism < late latin prisma < ancient greek πρίσμα
| prissma (= prism, trilateral
column) < πρίω | priō (= to saw).
prison < middle english prison
< old french prisoun (= captivity, prison,
prisoner) < preson < vulgar
latin *presio < latin
prensio,
a shortening of *prehensio (= a
taking) < prehendo [inf. prehendere]
(= seize) < prae (= before) + -hendo [inf. -hendere] (= take).
prius < latin prius,
neuter of prior (= former, previous, first), comparative of old latin
pri
(= before).
private < middle english private
< latin privatus
(= set apart, personal) < privatus, past participle of privo
[inf. privare] (= to separate) < privus (= individual).
privilege < middle english privilege
< old french privilege (= right, priority) < latin
privilegium
(= law applying to one person, privilege)
< privus (= individual) + lex [gen. legis] (= law).
prize < middle english
prise
< old french prise
(= a taking) < prise, female past participle of prendre
(= take, seize) < latin
prendo
[inf. prendere] < prehendo
[inf. prehendere] (= seize) < prae
(= before) + -hendo [inf. -hendere] (= take).
pro < middle english
pro < latin pro
(= in place of, before, forth, forward)
< I.E. *per-(1) (= forward).
probable < middle english probable < old french probable
(= provable, demonstrable) < latin
probabilis
(= agreeable, acceptable, provable) <
probo
[inf. probare] (= show, try, test) < probus (= worthy, good).
probe < middle english probe < medieval latin proba
(= examination, test, proof) < latin
probo
[inf. probare] (= show, try, test) < probus (= worthy, good).
problem < middle english problem
< old french problème
< latin problema < ancient greek
πρόβλημα | problēma (= task, problem)
< προβάλλω | proballō
(= propose) < προ | pro (= before, forth, forward) + βάλλω
| ballō (= to throw).
proceed < middle english proceden
< old french proceder
< latin procedo [inf. procedere] (= go forward, make progress) < pro (= before, forth, forward) + cedo [inf. cedere] (= go).
procure < middle english procure
< old french procurer
(= care for, bring about) < late latin procuro [inf. procurare] (= manage, take care of) <
pro
(= before, forth, forward) + curo [inf. curare] (= care for).
prodigy < middle english prodigy
< latin prodigium (= prophetic sign, omen) < 1. pro (= before, forth,
forward) + [suffix] -igium, (?) related to aio (= I say) or 2. pro + dico
[inf. dicere] (= say).
prodrome < french prodrome
< modern latin prodromus < ancient greek πρόδρομος
| prodromos (= a running forward) < προ | pro (= before, forth, forward) + δρόμος
| dromos (= a running, way, road).
produce < middle english produce
< latin producere (= bring forth, draw out) < pro (= before, forth,
forward) + duco [inf. ducere] (=
bring, lead).
professor < middle english professor
< old french professeur < latin professor
(= teacher of highest rank) < profiteor [inf. profiteri] (= declare openly, acknowledge) < pro
(= before, forth, forward) + fateor [inf. fateri] (= to acknowledge,
confess).
proficient < old french proficient
< latin proficiens
[gen. proficientis], present
participle of proficio [inf. proficere]
(= make progress, go forward) < pro
(= before, forth, forward) + facio [inf. facere] (= make, do).
profile < old italian profilo
(= a drawing in outline) < profilare
(= to draw in outline) < pro (= forth) (< latin pro
(= forward)) + filare (= draw out) (<
late latin filo [inf. filare] (= to spin, draw out a line) < latin filum (= thread)).
profit < middle english profit
< old french porfit / prufit (= profit, gain) < latin profectus
(= profit, advance, progress) < profectus, past participle of proficio
[inf. proficere] (= make progress,
profit) < pro (= before, forth,
forward) + facio [inf. facere]
(= make, do).
prognosis < late latin prognosis < ancient greek πρόγνωσις
| prognōsis (= foreknowledge) < προγιγνώσκω | progignōskō (= to know beforehand) < προ | pro (= before, forth, forward) + γιγνώκω
| gignōskō (= to know).
program < late latin programma
< ancient greek πρόγραμμα
| programma (= a written public
notice) < προγράφω | prographō (= write publicly) < προ | pro (= before, forth, forward) + γράφω
| graphō (= write, draw).
progress < middle english progress
< old french progres < latin progressus (= a going forward) < progressus, past
participle of progredior [inf. progredi]
(= go forward) < pro
(= before, forth, forward) + gradior [inf. gradi] (= to step, walk) (< gradus (= a step)).
prohibit < middle english prohibit
< latin prohibitus, past participle of prohibeo
[inf. prohibere] (= hold back,
restrain) < pro (= before, forth,
forward) + habeo [inf. habere]
(= hold, have).
project < middle english project
< latin projectus, past participle of projicio
[inf. projicere] (= throw forth) < pro (= before, forth,
forward) + jacio [inf. jacere]
(= to throw).
proletarian < latin proletarius
(= citizen of the lowest class) < proles [gen. prolitis] (= offspring, progeny).
prologue < middle english prologue
< old french prologue < latin prologus < ancient greek πρόλογος
| prologos (= preface to a play,
prologue) < προ | pro (= before, forth, forward) + λόγος
| logos (= a speaking) < λέγω | legō (= speak).
promenade < middle french promenade
< se promener (= go for a
walk) < late latin promino
[inf. prominare] (= drive onward) < pro (= before, forth,
forward) + mino [inf. minare] (=
drive [animals] with shouts) (< minor [inf. minari] (= threaten)).
prominence < french prominence
< latin prominentia
(= a jutting out) < late
latin promineo [inf. prominere]
(= stand out, be prominent) < pro
(= before, forth, forward) + mineo [inf. minere] (= project, jut out).
promise < middle english promise
< old french promesse (= promise, guarantee) <
latin promissum (= a promise) < promissum, neuter past
participle of promitto [inf. promittere]
(= send forth, let go, promise) < pro
(= before, forth, forward) + mitto [inf. mittere] (= send, throw, release).
promote < middle english promote
< old french promoter < latin promotus,
past participle of promoveo [inf. promovere]
(= move forward, advance) < pro
(= before, forth, forward) + moveo [inf. movere] (= to move).
prompt < middle english prompten
< latin promptus, past participle of promo
[inf. promere] (= bring forth) < pro (= before, forth,
forward) + emo [inf. emere] (=
take).
prone < middle english prone
< latin pronus (= leaning forward, bent
over) < (?) pro (= before) + [suffix] -nus.
pronounce < middle english pronounce
< old french prononcier (= declare, pronounce) < late latin pronuncio
[inf. pronunciare] < latin pronuntio
[inf. pronuntiare] (= proclaim, pronounce) < pro (= before, forth,
forward) + nuntio [inf. nuntiare]
(= announce) (< nuntius (= messenger)).
proof < middle english preove
< anglo-french preove
/ old french prueve (= proof, experience) < late latin proba
(= a proof) < latin probo [inf. probare] (= show, try, test, prove) < probus (= worthy, good).
propaganda < latin [Congregatio de] Propaganda [Fide] (= [congregation for] propagating [the
faith]), a committee of cardinals for foreign missions < propaganda,
ablative of female gerundive of propago [inf. propagare] (= set forward, extend, increase) < propago (= offspring)
< pro (= before, forth, forward) + I.E. *pag-
(= to fasten).
propagate < latin propagatus,
past participle of propago [inf. propagare]
(= set forward, extend, increase) <
propago
(= offspring) < pro
(= before, forth, forward) + I.E. *pag- (= to fasten).
propane < prop- {< propionic [acid] < french
propionique
< ancient greek προ
| pro (= forward) + πίων
| piōn (= fat, fatty) [so called
because, in the chemical order, it is before the “fatty” acid, butanoic (< ancient
greek βούτυρον | boutyron (= butter))]} + [suffix] -ane.
propel < middle english propel
< latin propello [inf. propellere] (= push forward, drive forth) < pro (= before, forth, forward) + pello [inf. pellere] (= push, drive).
proper < middle english proper
< old french propre (= own, particular,
appropriate) < latin proprius
(= particular to itself) < pro
privo
(= in particular) < pro
(= for) + privo, ablative of privus (= individual).
prophet < middle english prophet
< old french prophete / profete < latin
propheta < ancient greek προφήτης
| prophētēs (= prophet, interpreter) <
προ
| pro (= before, forth, forward) + φημί | phēmi (= tell).
prophylactic < middle french prophylactique
< ancient greek προφυλακτικός | prophylaktikos (= precautionary)
< προφυλάσσω | prophylassō
(= keep guard before) < προ
| pro (= before, forth, forward) + φυλάσσω
| phylassō (= watch over, guard) (< φύλαξ | phylax (= guard)).
propose < middle english propose
< old french proposer (= propose, suggest) < pro (= forth) (< latin pro (=
before, forth)) + poser (= put, place) (<
late latin pauso [inf. pausare] (= to halt, pause) <
pausa
(= a halt, stop) < ancient greek
παύσις
| pafsis (= a stopping) < παύω | pavō (= to stop, pause)).
prosciutto < italian prosciutto
[(?) by influence of prosciugato (=
dried)] < presciutto < pre-
(< latin prae (= before)) + latin
exsuctus,
past participle of exsugo [inf. exsugere]
(= suck out) (< ex (= out) + sugo
[inf. sugere] (= to suck)).
prose < middle english prose
< old french prose < latin prosa [oratio] (= direct [speech]) <
prosa,
female of prosus < prorsus (= straightforward, direct) < old latin provorsus
(= of straight ahead) < pro
(= before, forth, forward) + vorsus, past participle of verto
[inf. vertere] (= to turn).
prosecute < middle english prosecute
< latin prosecutus, past participle of prosequor
[inf. prosequi] (= follow after,
accompany, chase) < pro
(= before, forth, forward) + sequor [inf. sequi] (= follow).
prospect < middle english prospect
< latin prospectus (= distant view, sight)
< prospectus,
past participle of prospicio [inf. prospicere]
(= look forward) < pro
(= before, forth, forward) + specio [inf. specere] (= look at).
prosper < middle english prosper
< old french prosperer < latin prospero
[inf. prosperare] (= cause to
succeed, render happy) < prosperus
(= favorable, fortunate) < old latin pro spere (= according to
expectation) < pro
(= for) + spere, ablative of spes [gen. speris] (= hope).
prostate < middle french prostate < medieval latin prostata
< ancient greek προστάτης
[αδήν] | prostatēs [adhēn] (=
prostate [gland]) [so called from its
position in front of the bladder] < προστάτης | prostatēs (= leader, guardian)
< προΐσταμαι | proistamae (= set before) < προ | pro (= before, forth, forward) + ‘ίσταμαι |
histamae (= to stand).
prostitute < latin prostitutus,
past participle of prostituo [inf. prostituere]
(= expose publicly) < pro
(= before, forth, forward) + statuo [inf. statuere] (= cause to stand, establish).
prostrate < middle english prostrate
< latin prostratus, past participle of prosterno
[inf. prosternere] (= strew in front,
throw down) < pro (= before, forth,
forward) + sterno [inf. sternere]
(= spread out, lay down).
protagonist < ancient greek πρωταγωνιστής
| prōtagōnistēs (= chief actor) < πρώτος | prōtos (= first) + αγωνιστής | agōnistēs (= competitor, actor) (<
αγών
| agōn (= contest)).
protection < middle english protection
< old french proteccion < late latin
protectio
(= a covering over) < latin protego
[inf. protegere] (= protect, cover in
front) < pro (= before, forth,
forward) + tego [inf. tegere] (=
to cover).
protein < french protéine
< ancient greek πρώτειος | prōtoeos (= of the first
[quality]) < πρώτος | prōtos (= first) + [suffix] -ine.
protest < middle english protest
< old french protest < protester < latin protestor [inf. protestari] (= declare publicly, protest) < pro- (= before, forth,
forward) + testor [inf. testari]
(= testify) (< testis (= witness)).
proto- < ancient greek πρώτος
| prōtos (= first).
protocol < prothogall
< middle french prothocole
< medieval latin protocollum
(= draft) < ancient greek
πρωτόκολλον
| prōtokollon (= first glued sheet) [on
a manuscript, having the list of its contents and errata] < πρώτος | prōtos (=
first) + κόλλα | kolla (=
glue).
proud < old english prud
/ prute
(= excellent, splendid) < (?) old french prud < prouz
(= brave, valiant) < late
latin prode (= advantageous) < latin prosum
[inf. prodesse] (= be useful) < pro (= before) + sum
[inf. esse] (= I am).
prove < middle english pruven
/ proven
< old french prover
/ pruver
(= show, convince, put to the test) <
latin probo [inf. probare]
(= show, try, test, prove) < probus
(= worthy, good).
provenance < french provenance
(= origin, production) < middle
french provenant, present participle of provenir (= come forth,
arise) < latin provenio
[inf. provenire] (= come forth,
originate, arise) < pro
(= before, forth, forward) + venio [inf. venire] (= come).
proverb < middle english proverb
< old french proverbe < latin proverbium
(= a common saying, old adage) <
pro
(= before, forth, forward) + verbum (= word).
provide < middle english provide
< latin provideo [inf. providere] (= look ahead, prepare, supply) < pro (= before, forth, forward) + video [inf. videre] (= see).
providence < middle english providence
< old french providence < latin providentia
(= foresight, precaution) < providens
[gen. providentis], present
participle of provideo [inf. providere]
(= look ahead, prepare, supply) < pro
(= before, forth, forward) + video [inf. videre] (= see).
province < middle english province
< old french province < latin provincia
(= Roman territory outside Italy, province) < (?) pro (= before, forth,
forward) + vinco [inf. vincere]
(= conquer).
provoke < middle english provoke
< old french provoker / provochier < latin
provoco
[inf. provocare] (= call forth,
challenge) < pro (= before, forth,
forward) + voco [inf. vocare] (=
to call).
proximate < late latin proximatus,
past participle of proximo [inf. proximare]
(= draw near) < proximus
(= nearest, latest), superlative of prope (= near).
prudent < middle english prudent
< old french prudent (= with knowledge,
deliberate) < latin prudens
[gen. prudentis] (= knowing, skilled) < providens,
present participle of provideo [inf. providere] (= look ahead, prepare, supply) < pro (= before, forth, forward) + video [inf. videre] (= see).
prune < middle english prouyne
< old french proignier (= cut back, prune).
Prussia < medieval latin Borussi
/ Prusi,
a Lithuanian people < (?) slavic *Po-Rus (= near the Russians).
P.S. < an
abbreviation of latin post
scriptum (= after the script)
< post
(= after) + scriptum (= script).
psalm < old english psealm,
salm
/ old french psaume, saume / latin psalmus < ancient greek ψαλμός
| psalmos (= song sung to a harp) < ψάλλω | psallō (= play on a stringed instrument).
pseudonym < german pseudonym
/ french pseudonyme < ancient
greek ψευδώνυμος | pseudōnymos
(= having a false name) < ψευδής
| pseudēs (= false) + όνυμα
| onyma (= name).
psyche < latin psyche < ancient greek ψυχή
| psykhē (= soul, mind, spirit).
psychedelic < psychodelic
[1956] < ancient greek ψυχή | psykhē (= soul, mind, spirit) + δηλώ | dēlō (= make visible, reveal) | δήλος
| dēlos (= visible, clear).
psychiatry < french psychiatrie < medieval latin psychiatria
(= a healing of the soul) < ancient greek ψυχή
| psykhē (= soul, mind, spirit) + ιατρεία
| iatroea (= a healing, care)
(< ιατρεύω |
iatrevō (= heal) < ιατρός |
iatros (= doctor) < ιώμαι | iōmae (= heal, care)).
psychology < modern latin psychologia
< ancient greek ψυχή | psykhē (= soul, mind, spirit) + -λογία | -logia (= study) (< λόγος | logos (= a speaking) < λέγω | legō (= speak)).
pub < a shortening of public
[house] (= any public building / inn selling food, wine, and spirits /
tavern) < middle english public
(q.v.).
public < middle english public
< old french public < latin publicus
(= of the people, of the state, common) [(?) by influence of latin
pubes (= adult)] < old latin poplicus (= of the people) < populus (= people).
pudding < middle english pudding
< (?) west germanic *pud- (= to swell) + [suffix] -ing.
pueblo (= Indian village) < spanish pueblo
(= village, small town, people) < latin
populus
(= people).
Puerto Rico < spanish Puerto
Rico (= rich harbor) < puerto
(< latin portus (= harbor, port)) + rico
(< old french riche (= wealthy) < frankish *riki (= powerful)).
puff < old english pyffan
(= blow with the mouth) < imitative
origin.
pull < middle english pull
< old english pullian (= pluck off, draw out).
pullman < Pullman
[car] < [George] Pullman,
American engineer.
pullover < pullover
[sweater] < pull + over [so called for the method of
putting on].
pulp < middle english pulp
< latin pulpa (= pulp, pith of wood).
pulse < middle english pulse
< old french pous / pulse < latin
pulsus,
past participle of pello [inf. pellere]
(= push, drive).
pulverize < middle english pulverize
< late latin pulverizo [inf. pulverizare] (= reduce to powder) < latin pulvis [gen. pulveris] (= powder, dust).
puma < spanish puma < quechua (of Inca) puma.
pump < middle english pump
< (?) middle dutch pompe (= water conduit, pipe) / middle
low german pumpe (= pump) < (?) imitative
origin.
pumpkin < pompone
/ pumpion
(= melon, pumpkin) < middle
french pompon < latin
pepo
[gen. peponis] (= melon) < ancient
greek πέπων | pepōn (=
melon).
punch (= fist) < middle
english punch (= thrust, push) <
old french ponchonner (= to punch, prick) < ponchon / poinchon
(= pointed tool, piercing weapon) <
vulgar latin *punctio (= pointed tool) < latin
pungo
[inf. pungere] (= to prick, pierce).
punch (= pointed tool)
< middle english punch < puncheon < old french ponchon
/ poinchon
(= pointed tool, piercing weapon) <
vulgar latin *punctio (= pointed tool) < latin
pungo
[inf. pungere] (= to prick, pierce).
punch (type of mixed
drink) < (?) hindi panch (= five) [in reference to its
five ingredients] < sanskrit
panchan-s < pancha (= five) < I.E.
*penkwe-
(= five).
punctuate < medieval latin punctuatus,
past participle of punctuo [inf. punctuare] (= point out) < latin punctus, past participle of pungo
[inf. pungere] (= to prick, pierce).
punish < middle english punish
< old french punir (= punish) < latin punio [inf. punire] (= punish, correct) < poenio [inf. poenire] < poena (= penalty, punishment) < ancient greek ποινή
| poenē (= penalty, punishment).
Punjab < hindi Panjab < persian panj
(= five) (< I.E. *penkwe- (= five)) + ab
(= water) (< iranian *ap- < I.E. *ap-(2) (= water))
[in reference to the five rivers of this region].
punk < (?) 1. algonquian ponk
(= dust, powder, ashes) or 2. gaelic
spong
(= tinder).
pupil < middle english pupil
(= orphan child, ward) < old french pupille
< latin pupillus (= orphan child, ward), a diminutive of pupus (= boy).
puppet < middle english popet
(= doll) < old french popette
(= little doll, puppet), a diminutive of popee (= doll) < vulgar latin *puppa < latin pupa (= girl, doll), female of pupus
(= boy).
puppy < middle english puppy
< (?) middle french poupée (= doll, toy) < vulgar latin *puppa < latin pupa (= girl, doll), female of pupus
(= boy).
purchase < middle english purchase
< anglo-french purchaser
/ old french porchacier (= search for) < pur- (= forth) (< vulgar latin *por-
< latin pro (= before, forth)) + chacier
(= chase) (< vulgar latin
*captio
[inf. captiare] (= chase) < latin capto
[inf. captare] (= hold) < capio
[inf. capere] (= take, hold)).
pure < middle english pure < old french pur
(= pure, simple) < latin
purus
(= clean, clear, unmixed).
purge < middle english purge
< anglo-french purger
/ old french purgier (= wash, clean, purify) <
latin purgo [inf. purgare]
(= make clean, purify) (< old
latin purigo [inf. purigare] < purus (= clean, clear)) +
ago
[inf. agere] (= drive, lead, act).
purify < middle english purify
< old french purefier
(= purify, refine) < latin
purifico
[inf. purificare] (= make pure) < purus (= clean, clear) + facio
[inf. facere] (= make, do).
puritan < Puritan
(= opponent of Anglican hierarchy) <
middle english purity < old french purete
< latin puritas (= pureness) < purus
(= clean, clear, unmixed).
purple < old
english purpul < purpure(n) (= purple) < latin purpura
(= purple color) < ancient greek
πορφύρα
| porphyra (= purple dye, the
shellfish murex from which purple was made) < (?) semitic origin.
purpose < middle english purpose
< anglo-french purpos
/ old french porpos (= aim, intention) < porposer (= put forth) < por-
(= forth) (< latin pro (= before, forth) + poser
(= put, place) (< late latin
pauso
[inf. pausare] (= to halt, pause) < pausa (= a halt, stop) < ancient greek παύσις
| pafsis (= a stopping) < παύω | pavō (= to stop, pause)).
purse < old english pursa
< medieval latin bursa
(= leather purse) < late
latin bursa < byrsa (= hide) < ancient greek βύρσα | byrsa (= hide, leather).
pursue < middle english pursue
< anglo-french pursuer < old french poursuir
< porsivre
(= to chase, pursue, follow) < vulgar
latin *prosequo [inf. prosequare] < latin prosequor
[inf. prosequi] (= follow, accompany) < pro (= before, forward) +
sequor
[inf. sequi] (= follow).
purvey < middle english purvey
< anglo-french porveire
/ purveire
< old french porveoir (= provide, prepare) < latin provideo
[inf. providere] (= look ahead,
prepare, supply) < pro
(= before, forth) + video [inf. videre]
(= see).
push < middle english push < old french poulser
< latin pulso
[inf. pulsare] (= to beat, push) <
pulsus,
past participle of pello [inf. pellere]
(= push, drive, beat).
puss (= cat) < (?) imitative origin [from the sound used to get its attention].
put < old english *putian
(= to put) < (?) germanic source.
puzzle < pusle
(= bewilder, confound) < (?) pose < middle french poser
(= suppose, assume) < old
french poser (= to put, place, set) < late latin pauso [inf. pausare] (= to halt, pause) <
pausa
(= a halt, stop) < ancient greek
παύσις
| pafsis (= a stopping) < παύω | pavō (= to stop, pause).
pvc < an acronym of polyvinyl
chloride [1933].
pyjamas < pajama(h)s
/ pai
jamahs
< hindi pajama
< (?) persian paejamah (= leg clothing) < pae
(= leg) + jamah (= clothing).
Pyongyang < korean
Pyongyang
< p’yong
(= flat) + yang (= land).
pyramid < french pyramide
< latin pyramides,
plural of pyramis < ancient
greek πυραμίδες | pyramides, plural of πυραμίς
| pyramis (= pyramid) < (?) egyptian
pimar
(= pyramid).
Pyrenees < french Pyrénées < latin Pyrenæi
< ancient greek Πυρήνη
| Pyrēnē, a mistress of Hercules, buried
in these mountains.
pyretic < french pyrétique
/ modern latin pyreticus < ancient greek πυρετός | pyretos (= fever, burning heat) < πυρ | pyr (= fire).
pyrite < old french pyrite
< latin pyrites < ancient greek πυρίτης
[λίθος] | pyritēs [lithos] (= [stone]
of fire, flint) [so called because it glitters when it is hit] < πυρίτης | pyritēs (= of fire) < πυρ | pyr (= fire).
pyrotechnic < πυρ
| pyr (= fire) + ancient greek
τεχνικός
| tekhnikos (= made by art) (<
τέχνη | tekhnē (= art)).
