vacation < middle english vacation
< old french vacacion
(= vacancy) < latin vacatio (= leisure, freedom, exemption) < vaco [inf. vacare] (= be empty, be free).
vaccination < vaccine
(= pertaining to cows) < latin vaccinus
(= from cows) < vacca
(= cow).
vacillation < middle english vacillation
< latin vacillatio
(= a reeling, wavering) < vacillo
[inf. vacillare] (= waver, hesitate).
vacuous < latin vacuus
(= empty, void, free).
vagabond < middle english vagabond
< vacabond
< old french vagabond
/ vacabond
(= wandering, unsteady) < late
latin vagabundus (= wandering) <
latin vagor [inf. vagari] (=
wander) < vagus (= wandering) + [suffix] -bundus.
vagary < italian vagare
/ latin vagor [inf. vagari] (=
wander) < vagus (= wandering).
vagina < modern latin vagina
< latin vagina (= sheath, hull, husk).
vagrant < middle english vagrant
< (?) anglo-french vageraunt / wa(l)crant < old french walcrer (= to wander) < frankish *walken.
vague < middle french vague
(= empty, vacant, wild) < latin
vagus
(= wandering).
vail < middle english vail (=
be of use, be of service) < old
french vail < valoir
(= to be of value) < latin
valeo
[inf. valere] (= be strong, be well, be
worth).
vain < middle english vain < old french vain
/ vein
(= worthless, void, invalid) < latin
vanus
(= empty, void, free).
vair < middle english vair < old french vair
(= fur garments) < latin
varius
(= varied, spotted, different).
valance < middle english valance
< (?) anglo-french *valaunce / valence < valer (= go down) < old
french avaler (= descend, go down).
valediction < latin valedico
[inf. valedicere] (= bid farewell, take
leave) < vale (= farewell!), imperative
of valeo
[inf. valere] (= be well, be strong) +
dico
[inf. dicere] (= say).
valence < middle english valence
< latin valentia
(= strength, capacity) < valens,
present participle of valeo [inf. valere] (= be well, be strong).
Valencia < spanish Valencia
< latin Valentia [Edetanorum] (= fort [of the Edetani]) < valentia (= strength, capacity) < valens, present participle
of valeo
[inf. valere] (= be well, be strong).
Valentine < middle english Valentine
< late latin Valentinus
< latin valentia (= strength, capacity) < valens, present participle
of valeo
[inf. valere] (= be well, be strong).
valerian < middle english valerian
< old french valeriane
< latin Valerianus < Valerius < valeo [inf. valere] (= be well, be strong).
Valerie < french Valerie
< latin Valeria, female of Valerius
< valeo [inf. valere] (= be well, be strong).
valet < middle english valet
< old french valet
< vaslet
(= squire, young man, man’s servant) <
gallo-roman *vassellittus (= young nobleman,
squire) < a diminutive of medieval latin vassallus < vassus (= servant) < old celtic *wasso-
(= young man, squire).
valetudinarian < valetudinary < latin valetudinarius < valetudo (= state of health)
(< valeo [inf. valere] (=
be well, be strong)) + [suffix] -tudo.
Valhalla < old norse Valhöll
(= hall of the battle-slain) < valr (= those slain in battle) + höll (= hall).
valiant < middle english valiant
< anglo-french vaylant
/ old french vaillant (= brave) < valoir
(= be worthy) < latin valeo
[inf. valere] (= be well, be strong).
valid < middle french valide
< latin validus
(= strong, active) < valeo
[inf. valere] (= be well, be strong).
valise < middle french valise
< italian valigia.
Valkyrie < old norse valkyrja
(= chooser of the slain) < valr
(= those slain in battle) + kyrja (= chooser).
valley < middle english valley
< anglo-french valey
/ old french valee (= valley) < vulgar latin *vallata < latin vallis
(= valley).
valor < middle english valor
< old french valor
/ valour
(= valor, merit, virtue) < late
latin valor (= value, worth)
< latin valeo
[inf. valere] (= be well, be strong).
value < middle english value
< old french value
(= worth, price, moral) < valoir (= be worth) < latin valeo
[inf. valere] (= be well, be strong).
valve < middle english valve
< latin valva
(= section of a revolving door).
vamp < anglo-french *vaumpé < old french avantpié
(= vamp of a shoe) < avant
(= in front) + pié (= foot) (< latin pes
(= foot)).
vampire < french vampire
/ german Vampir < hungarian
vampir < old church slavonic opiri
< (?) tatar ubyr (= witch).
van (= front part of
an army) < a shortening of vanguard < middle english vaunt garde < middle french avant-garde < avant (= in front, before) (< late latin abante
< ab (= from) + ante (= before)) + garde
(= guard) (< frankish *wardon < proto-germanic *wardon
(= to guard)).
van (= covered truck)
< a shortening of caravan < middle french caravane < old french car(e)vane / medieval latin caravana < arabic
qairawan
< persian karwan (= group of desert travelers).
vandal < Vandal
< latin Vandalus,
a Germanic tribe [having the reputation of willful desecration or
destruction] < (?) proto-germanic *wandljaz
(= wanderer).
vane < middle english vane <
fane
(= flag, banner).
Vanessa < a pseudonym for
Esther
Vanhomrigh,
a close friend of author Jonathan Swift [who coined it by rearranging the
syllables and published it in his poem “Cadenus
and Vanessa”].
vanguard < middle english vaunt
garde < middle french avant-garde < avant (= in front, before)
(< late latin abante < ab (= from) + ante
(= before)) + garde (= guard) (< frankish
*wardon < proto-germanic *wardon
(= to guard)).
vanilla < spanish vainilla,
a diminutive of vaina (= sheath) <
latin vagina (=sheath, hull, husk).
vanish < middle english vanish
< old french esvanir
(= disappear) < vulgar latin
*exvanio
[inf. exvanire] (= disappear) < latin
evanesco
[inf. evanescere] (= disappear) < ex (= out) + vanesco
[inf. vanescere] (= vanish) (< vanus
(= empty)).
vanity < middle english vanity
< old french vanite
(= futility) < latin vanitas
(= emptiness, vainglory) < vanus (= empty).
vanquish < middle english vanquish
< old french veintre
(= to defeat) < latin vinco
[inf. vincere] (= to overcome, conquer).
vapid < latin vapidus
(= flat, insipid).
vapor < middle english vapor
< anglo-french vapour
/ old french vapor (= moisture, vapor) < latin vapor
(= warm exhalation, steam, heat).
variant < middle english variant
< old french variant
< latin varians [gen. variantis], present participle of vario [inf. variare] (= to change) < latin
varius
(= changing, different).
various < middle english various
< middle french
varieux
< latin varius (= changing, different).
varnish < middle english varnish
< old french vernis
(= varnish) < medieval latin
vernix
(= odorous resin) < (?) ancient greek βερενίκη | berenikē < Βερενίκη | Berenikē, a city in Libya [with the first
use of varnishes] < Βερενίκη
| Berenikē, a queen of Egypt < φέρω | pherō (= bring) + νίκη | nikē (= victory).
vary < middle english vary < old french variier
(= be changed, go astray, alter) < latin vario [inf. variare] (= to change) < latin
varius
(= changing, different).
vascular < modern latin vascularis
(= pertaining to vessels) < latin
vasculum
(= small vessel), a diminutive of vas [gen. vasis] (= container, vessel).
vase < middle english vase < old french vas(e)
(= receptacle, container) < latin
vas
[gen. vasis] (= container, vessel).
vaseline < vas-
(< german Wasser
(= water)) + el- (< ancient greek έλαιον | elaeon (= oil)) + [suffix] -ine.
vassal < middle english vassal
< old french vassal
(= subordinate, servant) < medieval
latin vassallus (= manservant, domestic) < vassus (= servant) < old celtic *wasso-
(= young man, squire).
vast < middle french vaste < latin vastus
(= immense, extensive, huge).
vat < middle english vat
< old english fæt (= container, vat) < proto-germanic *fatan.
vaudeville < french vaudeville
[by influence of ville (= town)] <
middle french vaudevire < 1. [chanson du] Vau de Vire (= [song of] valley of
Vire) < vau (= valley) + de (= of) + Vire, a region of Normandy
or 2. middle french vauder (= to go) + virer
(= to turn).
Vaughan < welsh
fychan
< bychan
(= small).
vault (= arched roof)
< middle english vaute < old french voute (= arch, vaulting) < vulgar latin *volta
< *volvita, female of *volvitus (= arched) < latin
volutus,
past participle of volvo [inf. volvere] (=
to turn, roll).
vault (= jump over) <
middle french volter (= to leap) < italian voltare
(= to turn) < vulgar latin
*volvito
[inf. volvitare] (= to turn, leap)
< latin volvo [inf. volvere] (= to turn, roll).
vaunt < middle english vaunt
< anglo-french vaunter
/ old french vanter (= to praise) < medieval latin vanito
[inf. vanitare] (= to boast) <
latin vano [inf. vanare] (=
to say empty words) < vanus
(= empty).
VCR < [1971] an acronym of Video-Cassette
Recorder.
veal < middle english veal < anglo-french vel
/ old french veel (= calf) < vedel < latin vitellus
(= little calf), a diminutive of vitulus (= calf).
vector < latin vector
(= carrier) < veho [inf. vehere] (=
carry, convey).
Veda < sanskrit veda
(= knowledge, sacred knowledge) < I.E. *weid-
(= to see).
vegan < [1944] vegetarian < vegetable
+ [suffix] -arian.
vegetable < middle english vegetable
< old french vegetable
(= living, fit to live) < medieval latin vegetabilis (= growing) < late latin vegetabilis
(= animating, enlivening) <
latin vegeto [inf. vegetare]
(= to enliven) < vegetus
(= vigorous, enlivened, active) < vegeo
[inf. vegere] (= be alive, be active).
vegetarian < [1839] vegetable + [suffix] -arian.
vehement < middle english vehement
< middle french
ve(h)ement (= impetuous, ardent) < latin vehemens
[gen. vehementis] (= impetuous, eager, violent) < (?) veho
[inf. vehere] (= carry, convey).
vehicle < french véhicule
< latin vehiculum
(= vehicle, carriage, conveyance) <
veho
[inf. vehere] (= carry, convey).
veil < middle english veil < anglo-french / old
french veil (= head-covering,
sail, curtain) < latin velum
(= sail, curtain, covering).
vein < middle english vein < old french veine
(= vein, artery, pulse) < latin
vena
(= blood vessel, water course).
vellum < middle english vellum
< old french velin
(= parchment from calfskin) < veel
(= calf) < vedel < latin vitellus
(= little calf), a diminutive of vitulus (= calf).
velocipede < french vélocipède
< latin velox
[gen. velocis] (= swift, speedy) + pes [gen. pedis] (= foot).
velocity < middle english velocity
< latin velocitas
(= swiftness, speed) < velox [gen. velocis] (= swift, speedy).
velour < velure
/ velours < french velours
(= velvet) < old french
velor
< velos
(= velvet) < old provençal
velos < latin villosus
(= shaggy, hairy) < villus (= shaggy hair, tuft
of hair).
velum < latin velum
(= sail, curtain, covering).
velvet < middle english velvet
< (?) old provençal veluet < vulgar latin *villutittus, a diminutive of *villutus
(= velvet) < latin villus
(= shaggy hair, tuft of hair).
venal < french vénal
/ old french venel (= for sale) < latin venalis
(= for sale, to be sold) < venum
(= for sale).
vend < latin vendo
[inf. vendere] (= to sell, praise, cry
up) < venumdo [inf. venumdare]
(= offer for sale) < venum
(= for sale) + do [inf. dare] (= give).
vendetta < italian vendetta
(= a feud, blood feud) < latin
vindicta
(= vengeance, revenge) < (?) vim dico (= show authority) < vim, accusative of vis
(= force) + dico [inf. dicare] (=
proclaim) (< dico [inf. dicere] (=
say)).
veneer < german Furnier < furnieren (= to cover with
a veneer, inlay) < french
fournir
(= to furnish, accomplish) < middle
french fornir (= to furnish) <
germanic source.
venerate < latin veneratus,
past participle of veneror [inf. venerari]
(= to reverence, worship) < venus
[gen. veneris] (= beauty, love, desire).
venereal < middle english venereal
< latin venereus
/ venerius
(= of sexual love) < venus
[gen. veneris] (= beauty, love, desire).
Venetian < middle english Venetian
< medieval latin
Venetianus < Venetia < Veneti, a people of Illyrian
origin.
Venezuela < spanish Venezuela,
a diminutive of Venecia (= Venice) [a name given by Spanish sailors,
when they saw a village built on piles on lake Maracaibo] < medieval latin Venetia < Veneti, a people of Illyrian origin.
vengeance < middle english vengeance
< anglo-french vengeaunce
/ old french vengeance (= revenge) < vengier
(= take revenge) < latin
vindico
[inf. vindicare] (= avenge, vindicate)
< (?) vim dico (= show authority)
< vim, accusative of vis (= force) + dico [inf. dicare] (= proclaim) (< dico
[inf. dicere] (= say)).
venial < middle english venial
< old french venial
(= excusable) < late latin venialis (= pardonable) < latin venia
(= forgiveness, favor).
Venice < medieval latin Venetia < Veneti, a people of Illyrian
origin.
venom < middle english venim
/ venym
< anglo-french / old
french venim / venin (= poison, malice) < vulgar latin *venimen
< latin venenum
(= drug, poison).
venous < latin venosus
(= full of veins) < latin
vena
(= blood vessel, water course).
vent < middle english vent <
(?) aventer
(= expose oneself to the air) < old
french eventer (= let out, expose to air) < vulgar latin *exvento [inf. exventare] (= expose to
air) < latin ex
(= out) + ventus (= wind).
ventilate < middle english ventilate < latin ventilatus,
past participle of ventilo [inf. ventilare]
(= to brandish, toss in the air, fan) <
ventulus
(= a breeze), a diminutive of ventus (= wind).
ventral < french ventral
/ late latin ventralis (= of the belly, of the stomach) < latin venter
[gen. ventris] (= belly, stomach, womb).
ventriloquy < late latin ventriloquus < latin venter
[gen. ventris] (= belly, stomach, womb) + loquor [inf. loqui] (= speak).
venture < middle english venture
< middle english aventure < old french aventure (= chance, event) < latin
adventura,
female future participle of advenio [inf. advenire] (= come to) <
ad
(= to) + venio [inf. venire] (=
come).
venue < middle english venue
< old french venue
(= coming) < venue, female past participle
of venir
(= to come) < latin venio
[inf. venire] (= to come).
Venus < old
english Venus < latin Venus, the goddess of beauty
and love < venus [gen. veneris] (= beauty, love, desire).
Vera < latin Vera
< vera, female of verus
(= true).
veracious < latin verax
[gen. veracis] (= according to truth,
truthful) < verus (= true).
veranda < hindi varanda
/ baranda
< (?) 1. persian bar amadah (= goes out) or 2. portuguese
varanda
(= long balcony).
verb < middle english verb < old french verbe
(= word, saying) < latin verbum (= word, verb) < I.E. *were-(3) (= to speak).
verbatim < middle english verbatim
< medieval latin
verbatim
(= word for word) < latin
verbum
(= word, verb) < I.E. *were-(3) (= to speak).
verbena < latin verbena
(= leaves of olive, myrtle, laurel).
verbose < latin verbosus
(= full of words, wordy) < verbum
(= word, verb) < I.E. *were-(3) (= to speak).
verdant < middle french virdeant,
present participle of old french
verdeiier (= become green) < vulgar latin *viridio
[inf. viridiare] (= grow green) < latin viridis
(= green).
verdict < middle english verdit
< anglo-french verdit
(= sworn testimony, affidavit, judgment)
< ve(i)r (= true) + dit, past participle of dire
(= to say).
verdigris < middle english vertegrez < old french verte
grez
/ verte
de
Grece
(= green of Greece) < french verd < latin viridis
(= green).
verdure < middle english verdure
< old french verdure
(= greenness, greenery) < verd
< vert
(= green) < latin viridis
(= green).
verge < middle english verge
< old french verge
(= twig, branch, measuring rod) < latin
virga
(= shoot, rod, stick).
veridical < latin veridicus
(= truth-telling, truthful) < verum,
neuter of verus (= true) + dico [inf. dicere] (= speak).
verify < middle english verify
< old french verifier
(= find out the truth) < medieval
latin verifico [inf. verificare]
(= make true) < latin verus
(= true) + facio [inf. facere] (=
make, do).
verisimilitude < french verisimilitude
< latin verisimilitudo
(= likeness to truth) < veri,
genitive of verum, neuter of verus (= true) + similis
(= similar).
verity < middle english verity
< anglo-french / old
french verite (= truth) <
latin veritas (= truth) < verus (= true).
vermeil < middle english vermeil
< anglo-french / old
french vermail, vermeil (= bright-red, scarlet, crimson)
< late latin vermiculus
(= little worm) [the cochineal insect from which crimson dyes were obtained]
< latin vermiculus (= larva of an insect), a diminutive of vermis (= worm).
vermilion < middle english vermillion
< anglo-french / old
french vermeillon (= red lead, cinnabar, < vermeil (= bright-red, scarlet, crimson) < late latin vermiculus (= little worm) [the cochineal
insect from which crimson dyes were obtained] < latin vermiculus
(= larva of an insect), a diminutive of
vermis
(= worm).
vermin < middle english vermin
< anglo-french / old french vermin
(= moth, worm, mite, troublesome creature) <
vulgar latin *verminum (= vermin) < latin
vermis
(= worm).
vermouth < french vermouth
< german Wermuth
(= wormwood) < middle high german
wermuot < old high german wermuota,
an aromatic herb [used in the flavoring of the liqueur].
vernacular < latin vernaculus
(= domestic, native) < verna
(= home-born slave, native) < etruscan origin.
vernal < late latin vernalis
(= of the spring) < vernus
(= of the spring) < latin
ver
[gen. veris] (= the spring).
vernier < french [Pierre] Vernier, mathematician
and inventor.
Verona < italian Verona
< celtic Vernomago < verno (= elder tree) + mago (= field, place).
Veronica < french
Veronique
< ancient greek Βερενίκη | Berenikē < φέρω |
pherō (= bring) + νίκη | nikē (= victory).
verse < old english verse < anglo-french / old
french vers (= line of verse, rhyme, song) < latin versus (= line, row, line of verse)
< versus,
past participle of verto [inf. vertere] (=
to turn).
version < middle french version < medieval latin versio
(= a turning, a translation) < latin verto
[inf. vertere] (= to turn).
verso < latin verso,
ablative neuter of versus, past participle of verto [inf. vertere] (= to turn).
versus < middle english versus
< latin versus, past participle of verto
[inf. vertere] (= to turn).
vertebra < middle english vertebra
< latin vertebra (= articulation, joint of the
spine) < (?) verto [inf. vertere] (=
to turn) + [suffix] -bra.
vertex < latin vertex
(= whirlpool, whirling column, the turning point) < verto [inf. vertere] (=
to turn).
vertigo < middle english vertigo
< latin vertigo (= a whirling, dizziness) < verto [inf. vertere] (= to turn).
verve < french verve
(= enthusiasm) < (?) gallo-roman *verva < latin verbum (= word).
very < middle english verray
< anglo-french verrai
/ old french verai (= true, truthful) < vulgar latin *veracus < latin verax
[gen. veracis] (= truthful) < verus
(= true).
vesicle < middle english vesicle
< middle french vesicule < latin vesicula (= little blister), a diminutive
of vesica
(= blister, bladder).
vesper < middle english vesper
(= the evening star) < old french vespre
(= evening, nightfall) < latin
vesper
[gen. vespris] (= evening star, evening, west) < I.E. *uekero-
(= evening, night) {> ancient greek ‘έσπερος | hesperos, welsh ucher,
old irish fescor, old
church slavonic večeru, russian večer, lithuanian vākaras,
armenian gišer}.
vespiary < latin vespa
(= wasp).
vessel < middle english vessel
< old french vessel (= container, barrel, ship)
< late latin vascellum (= small vase) < latin
vasculum,
a diminutive of vas [gen. vasis] (= container, vessel).
vest < french veste
(= vest, jacket) < italian
vesta
/ veste
(= robe, gown) < latin vestis
(= clothing) < vestio
[inf. vestire] (= to clothe).
vest < middle english vest
< old french vestir (= to clothe, get dressed) < latin vestio
[inf. vestire] (= to clothe).
vestal < middle english vestal
< latin Vesta, the goddess of hearth and home.
vestibule < french vestible < latin vestibulum
(= forecourt, entrance).
vestige < french vestige
(= mark, trace, sign) < latin
vestigium
(= footprint, trace).
vestment < middle english vestment
< old french vestment < latin vestimentum (= clothing, clothes) < vestio [inf. vestire] (= to clothe).
vestry < middle english vestry
< (?) anglo-french *vesterie < old french vestiaire (= room for vestments, dressing
room) < latin vestarium
(= wardrobe) < vestrarium, neuter of vestiarius (= of clothes) < vestis
(= cloth, garment).
vesture < middle english vesture
< anglo-french / old french vest(e)ure (= dress, clothes) < vulgar latin *vestitura
(= vestments, clothing) < latin
vestivus,
past participle of vestio [inf. vestire]
(= to clothe).
Vesuvius < latin Vesuvius
< 1. celtic *ves- (= mountain) or 2. oscan
fesf
(= smoke, steam).
vet (= to submit to veterinary care) < veterinarian (q.v.).
vet (= veteran) < a
shortening of veteran (q.v.).
vetch < middle english vetch
< old french veche < old french vece < latin vicia
(= vetch).
veteran < middle english veteran
< french vétéran < latin veteranus (= old, aged, old soldier) < vetus [gen. veteris] (= old, aged) < I.E.
*wet-es- < *wet-(2) (= year).
veterinarian < latin veterinarius
(= of beasts of burden, cattle doctor) <
veterinum
(= beast of burden) < (?) 1. vetus [gen. veteris] (= old, aged) or
2. veho
[inf. vehere] (= carry, convey).
veto < latin veto
[inf. vetare] (= forbid, prohibit,
oppose).
vex < middle english vex <
old french vexer (= vex, harass) < latin vexo
[inf. vexare] (= to shake, toss violently,
attack, trouble) < vexus
(= carried) < vectus, past participle of veho [inf. vehere] (= carry, convey).
vexillology < latin vexillum
(= flag, military ensign, banner) (< velum (= a sail, curtain) + ancient
greek -λογία | -logia (= study) (< λόγος | logos (= a speaking) < λέγω | legō (= speak)).
VHF < an acronym of
Very High Frequency.
VHS < [1982] an acronym
of Video Home System.
via < latin via
(= by way of), ablative of via (= way, road, path) < I.E. *wegh-
(= to go, move).
viable < french viable
(= capable of life) < vie
(= life) (< latin vita (= life)) + [suffix] -able (= capable) (< french -able
< latin -abilis).
viaduct < latin via
(= way, road, path) + ductus, past participle of duco
[inf. ducere] (= to lead).
vial < middle english vyol
< fyole
/ fiole
< old french fiole (= flask) < medieval latin phiola
< latin phiala < ancient greek φιάλη | phialē
(= flat vessel, flat bowl, dish).
viand < middle english viand
< anglo-french viaunde / old french viande
(= food, victuals) < vulgar latin *vivanda < late latin vivenda
(= things for living) < latin
vivenda, neuter plural gerundive
of vivo
[inf. vivere] (= to live).
viatic < latin viaticus
(= of the road, of a journey) < via
(= way, road, path).
vibe < a shortening of vibraphone
< vibrato
(< italian vibrato < latin vibratus,
past participle of vibro [inf. vibrare] (=
vibrate)) + -phone (< ancient greek φωνή | phonē (= sound)).
vibrant < latin vibrans
[gen. vibrantis], present participle of
vibro
[inf. vibrare] (= vibrate).
vibrato < italian vibrato < latin vibratus,
past participle of vibro [inf. vibrare] (=
vibrate).
vicar < middle english vicar
< anglo-french vicare / old french vicaire
(= deputy, second in command, priest) <
latin vicarius (= a substitute, deputy) < vicarius (= substituted, delegated) < vicis (= a change, succession,
alternation).
vice < middle english vice
< old french vice (= fault, failing, defect,
irregularity) < latin vitium
(= defect, offense, imperfection).
viceroy < middle french vice-roy < old french vice-
(= deputy) (< latin vicis (= a change, alternation)) + roi (=
king) (< latin rex [gen. regis] (= king)).
vice versa < latin vice
versa < vice, ablative of vicis (= a change, succession,
alternation) + versa, female of ablative of versus, past participle of
verto
[inf. vertere] (= to turn, roll).
Vicky < a shortening of Victoria
< latin Victoria < victoria (= victory) < vinco [inf. vincere] (= to overcome, conquer).
vicinity < middle french vicinité
< latin vicinitas (= neighborhood, nearness) < vicinus (= of the neighborhood, neighboring) < vicus (= village, large
village).
vicious < middle english vicious
< anglo-french vicious / old french vicios
(= wicked, cunning, defective) < latin
vitiosus
(= faulty, defective, corrupt,
wicked) < vitium (= defect, offense,
imperfection).
vicissitude < middle french vicissitude
< latin vicissitudo
(= change, alternation) < vicissim (= changeably, by turns, in turn) < vicis (= a change, succession,
alternation).
victim < middle english victim
< latin victima (= sacrificial animal).
victor < middle english victour
< anglo-french / old
french victor (= conqueror) < latin victor (= conqueror) < vinco [inf. vincere] (= to overcome, conquer).
Victoria < latin Victoria
< victoria
(= victory) < vinco [inf. vincere] (= to overcome, conquer).
victory < middle english victory
< anglo-french / old french victorie
< latin victoria (= victory) < vinco [inf. vincere] (= to overcome, conquer).
victuals < middle english vitaylle
< anglo-french / old
french vitaille (= food, nourishment, provisions) < late latin victualia (= provisions) < latin middle english victualia,
neuter plural of victualis (= of nourishment)
< victus (= livelihood, food, sustenance) < vivo [inf. vivere] (=
to live).
vid. / vide < latin vide,
imperative of video [inf. videre] (=
see) < I.E. *weid- (= to see).
videlicet < middle english videlicet
(= that is to say, to wit, namely) <
latin videlicet < videre licet (= it is permissible
to see) < videre, infinitive of video
(= see) + licet (= it is allowed) [third person of present tense, inf. licere] (= be allowed).
video < [1935] latin video
[inf. videre] (= see) < I.E.
*weid-
(= to see).
vie < middle english envie
(= make a challenge) < old
french envier (= compete, provoke, invite) < latin invito
[inf. invitare] (= to invite, challenge)
< in (= into) + (?) I.E.
*weie-
(= pursue with vigor).
view < middle english view < anglo-french vewe
/ old french veue < veoir (= to see) < latin video
[inf. videre] (= see) < I.E.
*weid-
(= to see).
vigil < middle english vigil
< anglo-french
/ old french vigile (= watch, guard) < latin vigilia
(= a watch) < vigil (= watchful, awake,
alert).
vigilant < middle english vigilant
< middle french
vigilant
/ latin vigilans [gen. vigilantis],
present participle of vigilo [inf. vigilare] (= to watch, keep awake) < vigil (= watchful, awake, alert).
vignette < french vignette < a diminutive of old french
vigne
(= vine, vinyard) < latin
vinea
(= vine, vineyard) < vinum
(= wine).
vigor < middle english vigor
< anglo-french vigour
/ old french vigor (= force, strength) < latin vigor
(= liveliness, activity, force) < vigeo [inf. vigere] (= be lively, be flourish).
Viking < old norse vikingr
(= freebooter, sea-rover, pirate) <
vik
(= creek, inlet, small bay) [in reference to those who came from the fjords] or 2. related to old english
wic
(= village, camp) [in reference to temporary camps of the Viking raids].
vile < middle english vile < anglo-french ville
/ old french vil (= shameful, dishonorable) < latin vilis
(= cheap, worthless, common).
vilify < middle english vilify
< late latin vilifico
[inf. vilificare] (= make cheap) < latin vilis
(= cheap, worthless, common) + facio [inf. facere] (= make, do).
villa < italian villa
(= country house, villa, farm) < latin
villa
(= country house, farm).
village < middle english
village
< old french vilage
< latin villaticum
(= farmstead) < villaticum, neuter of villaticus (= of a farmstead) < villa (= country house,
farm).
villain < middle english villain
< anglo-french
/ old french vilain (= peasant, farmer) < medieval latin villanus
(= farmhand) < latin villa
(= country house, farm).
vim < latin vim,
accusative of vis (= strength, vigor, energy).
vinaigrette < french vinaigrette,
a diminutive of vinaigre (= vinegar) ) (< vin (= wine) < latin
vinum
(= wine)) + aigre (= sour, acid) (< vulgar latin *acrus
< latin acer
(= sharp, acute)).
Vincent < french Vincent
< latin Vincentius < vincens [gen. vincentis],
past participle of vinco [inf. vincere] (=
to overcome, conquer).
vincible < middle french vincible
< latin vincibilis (= that which can be gained) < vinco [inf. vincere] (= to overcome, conquer).
vindication < middle english vindication
< old french vindicacion
(= vengeance, revenge) < latin vindicatio (= act of claiming) < vindicare (= assert,
set free, protect, avenge) < (?) vim dicare (= to show authority) < vim, accusative of vis
(= force) + dico [inf. dicare] (=
proclaim) (< dico [inf. dicere] (=
say)).
vine < middle english vine < old french vigne
(= vine, vinyard) < latin
vinea
(= vine, vineyard) < vinum
(= wine) < I.E. *win-o-
(= wine).
vinegar < middle english vinegar
< old french vinaigre
(= vinegar) (< vin (= wine) < latin vinum (= wine)) + aigre
(= sour, acid) (< vulgar latin *acrus < latin acer (= sharp, acute)).
vineyard < middle english
vineyard
< old english wingeard < vine (< old
french vigne (= vine, vinyard) <
latin vinea (= vine, vineyard) <
vinum
(= wine)) + old english geard (= fenced enclosure, garden, court) (<
proto-germanic *gardan-).
vinous < latin vinosus
(= full of wine) < vinum
(= wine) < I.E. *win-o-
(= wine).
vintage < middle english vintage
(= harvest of grapes, yield of wine from
a vineyard) < anglo-french
vintage
< old french vendage
/ vendenge (= yield from a vineyard) < latin vindemia (= a gathering of grapes, yield
of grapes) < vinum (= wine) + demo
[inf. demere] (= take off) (< de-
(= from, off) + emo [inf. emere] (= take)).
vintner < middle english vintner
< anglo-french vineter / old french vinetier
(= wine-merchant) < medieval latin
vinetarius
(= a wine dealer) < latin
vinetum
(= vineyard) < vinum
(= wine).
vinyl < french
vinyle
< vin- (<
latin vinum (= wine)) + -yle (< ancient greek ύλη | hylē
(= matter, wood)).
viola < italian viola < old provençal viola < medieval latin vitula
(= stringed instrument) < (?) 1. latin Vitula, the goddess of joy
or 2. related to latin vitulor [inf. vitulari] (= to exult, be joyful).
Viola < latin viola
(= violet, violet color).
violation < middle english violation
< old french violacion
< latin violatio (= an injury, irreverence) <
violo
[inf. violare] (= treat with violence,
outrage, dishonor) < (?) vis (= strength, vigor, energy).
violet < middle english violet
< old french violete,
a diminutive of viole (= violet) <
latin viola (= violet, violet color).
violin < italian violino,
a diminutive of viola < old provençal
viola < medieval latin vitula
(= stringed instrument) < (?) 1. latin Vitula, the goddess of joy
or 2. related to latin vitulor [inf. vitulari] (= to exult, be joyful).
violoncello < italian violoncello,
a diminutive of violone (= bass viol) <
viola
< old provençal viola < medieval latin vitula
(= stringed instrument) < (?) 1. latin Vitula, the goddess of joy
or 2. related to latin vitulor [inf. vitulari] (= to exult, be joyful).
VIP < [1933] an acronym of Very Important
Person.
viper < middle english viper
< middle french
vipere
< latin vipera (= viper, snake, serpent)
< *vivipera < vivus
(= alive, living) + pario [inf. parere] (=
bring forth, bear).
virago < middle english virago
< latin virago
(= female warrior, heroine, amazon) <
vir
(= man) < I.E. *wi-ro- (= man)).
viral < latin virus
(= poison, sap of plants, slimy liquid, potent juice).
virgin < middle english virgin
< anglo-french
/ old french virgine < latin virgo [gen. virginis] (= virgin, maiden).
Virgo < latin virgo [gen. virginis] (= virgin, maiden).
virgule (= the symbol / ) < french virgule
< latin virgula
(= punctuation mark), a diminutive of virga (= shoot, rod, stick, twig).
viridian < latin viridis
(= green, blooming, vigorous).
virile < middle english virile
< middle french
viril
< latin virilis (= of a man, manly) < vir (= man) < I.E. *wi-ro-
(= man).
virtue < middle english vertu
< anglo-french / old
french vertu (= strength, vigor, qualities) < latin virtus (= moral strength, goodness, valor, bravery) < vir (= man) < I.E. *wi-ro- (= man).
virtuoso < italian virtuoso
(= skilled, learned) < late latin virtuosus
(= virtuous, good) < latin
virtus
(= moral strength, goodness, valor, bravery) < vir (= man) < I.E.
*wi-ro-
(= man).
virus < middle english virus
(= poisonous substance) < latin virus
(= poison, sap of plants, slimy liquid, potent juice).
vis-a-vis < french vis-à-vis
(= face to face) < old french
vis
(= face) (= face, appearance) < latin
visus
(= a look, vision) < video
[inf. videre] (= see).
visa < french visa < modern latin [charta] visa (= verified [paper])
< latin visa,
female past participle of video [inf. videre] (= see).
visage < middle english visage
< anglo-french
/ old french visage (= face, portrait) < vis (= face, appearance) < latin visus
(= a look, vision) < video
[inf. videre] (= see).
viscera < latin viscera,
plural of viscus (= internal organ).
viscous < middle english viscous
< anglo-french viscous
< late latin viscosus (= sticky) < latin viscum
(= sticky thing, mistletoe).
visible < middle english visible
< old french visable
/ visible
(= perceptible) < latin visibilis (= that may be seen) < visus, past participle of
video
[inf. videre] (= see).
vision < middle english vision
< anglo-french visioun
/ old french vision (= presence, view, appearance,
dream) < latin visio
(= act of seeing, sight) < video
[inf. videre] (= see) < I.E. *weid-
(= to see).
visit < middle english visit
< old french visiter
(= to visit, inspect, examine) < latin visito [inf. visitare] (= go to see) < viso
[inf. visere] (= behold, visit) < video [inf. videre] (= see).
vista < italian vista
(= sight, view) < vista, female past participle of vedere
(= see) < latin video
[inf. videre] (= see).
visual < middle english visual
< late latin visualis
(= of sight) < latin visus
(= a sight, a looking, appearance) <
visus,
past participle of video [inf. videre] (=
see).
vital < middle english vital
< latin vitalis
(= belonging to life) < vita
(= life) < I.E. *gwei-
(= to live).
vitamin < vitamine
[coined by Casimir Funk, Polish biochemist (1912)] < latin vita (= life) + french amine
(< ammoniac (< modern
latin ammonia) + [suffix] -ine).
vitiate < latin vitiatus,
past participle of vitio [inf. vitiare] (=
make faulty, injure, spoil) < vitium
(= defect, offense, imperfection).
vitreous < middle english vitreous
< latin vitreus
(= of glass, glassy) < vitrum
(= glass).
vitrify < middle french vitrifier
< latin vitrum
(= glass) + facio [inf. facere] (=
make, do).
vitrine < french vitrine < vitre (= glass, window-glass) < latin vitrum
(= glass).
vitriol < middle english vitriol
< old french vitriol
< medieval latin vitriolum
(= vitriol) [so called from its glassy appearance] < vitriolum, neuter of vitriolus
(= glassy) < late latin vitreolus (= of glass) < latin vitreus
(= of glass, glassy) < vitrum
(= glass).
vituperation < middle english vituperation
< latin vituperatio
(= blame, a censuring) < vitupero [inf. vituperare] (= disparage, find fault with) < vitupero (= having faults) < vitium (= defect, offense,
imperfection) + paro [inf. parare] (=
prepare, provide).
viva < italian viva
(= [long] live!), third person present subjunctive of vivere (= to live) < latin vivo
[inf. vivere] (= to live) < I.E. *gwei-
(= to live).
vivace < italian vivace
(= brisk, lively) < latin
vivax
[gen. vivacis] (= lively, vigorous, enduring).
vivarium < latin vivarium
(= enclosure for live game, park, fish pond) < vivarium, neuter of vivarius
(= pertaining to living creatures) <
vivus
(= alive, living).
Vivian < latin Vivianus
(= living, alive) < vivus (= alive).
vivid < french vivide
< latin vividus (= spirited, animated, lively,
full of life) < vivus
(= alive).
vivify < middle english vivify
< old french vivifier
(= come alive, give life) < late
latin vivifico [inf. vivificare]
(= make alive) < vivificus
(= enlivening) < latin
vivus
(= alive) + facio [inf. facere] (=
make, do).
viviparous < late latin viviparus
(= bringing forth alive) < latin
vivus
(= alive, living) + pario [inf. parire] (=
bring forth, bear).
vixen < old english *fyxen,
female of fox < proto-germanic
*fuhsaz
(= fox).
viz. < an abbreviation
of middle english videlicet (= that is to say, to wit,
namely) < latin videlicet
< videre
licet
(= it is permissible to see) < videre,
infinitive of video (= see) + licet (= it is allowed) [third person
of present tense, inf. licere] (= be allowed).
Vladimir < old church slavonic Vladimiru
< vlasti (= to rule over) (<
I.E. *wal- (= to be strong)) + miru (= peace) (< proto-slavic *miru (= commune, joy, peace) < I.E. *mei-(4) (= to bind, tie)).
vocabulary < medieval latin vocabularium
(= a list of words) < latin
vocabulum
(= word, name, noun) < voco
[inf. vocare] (= to name, call).
vocal < middle english vocal
< old french vocal
< latin vocalis
(= sounding, sonorous, speaking) < vox [gen. vocis] (= voice) < I.E.
*wekw-
(= to speak).
vocation < middle english vocation
< old french vocacion
(= call, consecration, profession) / latin vocatio (= a calling) < vocatus, past participle of
voco
[inf. vocare] (= to call).
vociferate < vociferation
/ latin vociferatus, past participle of vociferor [inf. vociferari] (= to cry out, shout) < vox [gen. vocis] (= voice) + fero [inf. ferre] (= to carry).
vodka < russian vodka,
a diminutive of voda (= water) < I.E. *woda- < *wed-(1) (= water, wet).
vogue < middle french vogue
(= fashion, success) < old
french voguer (= to row, sway, set sail) < (?) germanic source.
voice < middle english voice
< old french voiz
(= voice, speech, word) < latin
vox
[gen. vocis] (= voice, sound, speech, word) {> italian voce, spanish
voz}.
void < middle english void < anglo-french / old
french voide, viude (= empty, vast, hollow) < latin vocivus
(= unoccupied, vacant) < vacivus (= vacant).
voile < anglo-french / old
french veil (= head-covering,
sail, curtain) < latin velum
(= sail, curtain, covering).
volant < middle english volant
< middle french
volant
(= able to fly) < latin
volans
[gen. volantis], present participle
of volo
[inf. volare] (= to fly).
volatile < middle french volatile < latin volatilis
(= fleeting, flying) < volo
[inf. volare] (= to fly).
volcano < italian vulcano
< latin Vulcanus
/ Volcanus
(= Vulcan), the god of fire < etruscan origin.
vole < a shortening of vole-mouse (= field-mouse) < (?) old norse völlr (= field) < proto-germanic *walthuz).
volition < french volition
< medieval latin volitio
(= will, volition) < latin
volo
[inf. velle] (= to wish).
volley < middle french volee
(= flight) < vulgar latin
*volta
< latin volata, female past participle of volo
[inf. volare] (= to fly).
volt < italian [Alessandro] Volta, physicist [in recognition
for his work in electrical batteries].
volte-face <
italian volta faccia (= turn face) < volta,
imperative of voltare (= to turn) (< vulgar latin *volvita < latin volvo
[inf. volvere] (= to roll)) + faccia
(< vulgar latin *facia < latin facies (= appearance, form) < facio
[inf. facere] (= make, do)).
voluble < middle english voluble
< middle french
voluble < latin volubilis
(= rolling, flowing, fluent, rapid) <
volvo
[inf. volvere] (= to roll).
volume < middle english volume
< old french volume
(= scroll, book, work, volume) < latin volumen (= roll of a manuscript, coil, wreath) < volvo [inf. volvere] (= to roll).
voluntary < middle english voluntary
< latin voluntarius
(= willing) < voluntas (= will) < volo [inf. velle] (= to wish).
voluptuous < middle english voluptuous
< old french voluptueux
/ volumptueuse
< latin voluptuosus (= full of pleasure, delightful) < voluptas (= pleasure, delight,
satisfaction) < volup(e)
(= pleasurably) < (?) volo [inf. velle] (= to wish).
volute < french volute
< italian voluta < latin voluta
(= a spiral scroll) < voluta, female past participle of volvo
[inf. volvere] (= to roll).
vomit < middle english vomit
< anglo-french vomit
/ old french vomite < latin vomitus (= a vomiting) < vomito [inf. vomitare] (= to vomit often) < vomo
[inf. vomere] (= to puke, spew forth).
voodoo < french (of Louisiana) voudou < (?) ewe (west african) vo’du (= spirit, demon, deity).
voracity < french voracité
/ latin voracitas (= greediness,
ravenousness) < vorax
[gen. voracis] (= greedy, ravenous) < voro
[inf. vorare] (= to devour).
vortex < latin vortex
< vertex
(= whirlpool, whirlwind) < verto
[inf. vertere] (= to turn).
vote < middle english vote < latin votum
(= a vow, wish, dedication) < votum, neuter past participle of voveo
[inf. vovere] (= to promise, dedicate).
vouch < middle english vouch
< anglo-french voucher
/ old french vocher (= to call, invoke) < (?) gallo-roman
*votico
[inf. voticare] (= to call) < latin
vocito
[inf. vocitare] (= to call to, summon
insistently) < latin voco [inf. vocare] (= to call, summon).
vow < middle english vow < anglo-french / old
french voe < latin
votum
(= a vow, wish, dedication) < votum, neuter past participle of voveo
[inf. vovere] (= to promise, dedicate).
vowel < middle english vowel
< old french voieul
< latin [littera] vocalis (= vocal [letter]) < vocalis
(= sounding, sonorous, speaking) <
vox
[gen. vocis] (= voice) < I.E.
*wekw-
(= to speak).
voyage < middle english voyage
< old french voiage
(= travel, journey, movement) < late
latin viaticum (= a journey) < latin viaticum,
neuter of viaticus (= of a journey)
< via (= way, road, path).
voyeur < french voyeur
(= one who views) < voir (= to view) <
latin video [inf. videre] (=
see).
vs < an abbreviation
of versus
< latin versus, past participle of verto
[inf. vertere] (= to turn).
vulcanize < Vulcan (< latin Vulcanus,
Volcanus,
the god of fire) + [suffix] -ize.
vulgar < middle english vulgar
< latin vulgaris
/ volgaris
(= of common people, common) < vulgus (= the common people, multitude,
crowd).
Vulgate < medieval latin Vulgata < late latin vulgata
[editio] (= popular [edition]) < vulgata
(= common, general, popular) < latin
vulgata,
female past participle of vulgo [inf. vulgare] (= make common) <
vulgus
(= the common people, multitude, crowd).
vulnerable < late latin vulnerabilis
(= wounding) < latin vulnero
[inf. vulnerare] (= to wound, hurt,
injure) < vulnus [gen. vulneris] (= wound).
vulpine < latin vulpinus
(= of a fox) < vulpes
< volpes
(= fox) < I.E. *wlpe- (= fox).
vulture < middle english vulture
< anglo-french vultur
/ old french voutoir, voutre < latin vultur
< voltur
(= vulture).
vulva < middle english vulva
< latin vulva
< volva
(= womb) < volvo [inf. volvere] (= to roll).
