Where does “karakter” come from?
karakter (Afrikaans) comes from Dutch karakter, from Middle Dutch caracter, from French caractère, from Old French caractere, from Latin character, from Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ, from Ancient Greek χαράσσω, from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰer- — to yearn for; to enclose; bowels, intestines.
karakter (Afrikaans): character
Ancestry of “karakter”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Dutch | karakter | A character, standardized graphic symbol, such as... |
| 2 | Middle Dutch | caracter | — |
| 3 | French | caractère | character, demeanour, personality; character |
| 4 | Old French | caractere | mark; sign; indication |
| 5 | Latin | character | branding iron; brand; characteristic, mark,... |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | χαρακτήρ | instrument used for engraving; person who... |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | χαράσσω | to sharpen; to engrave, carve, write, draw, stamp |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵʰer- | to yearn for; to enclose; bowels, intestines |