Where does “killer” come from?

killer (Chinese) comes from English killer, from English -er, from Middle English -er, from Old French -er, from Latin -āre, from Proto-Italic -āō, from Proto-Indo-European -eh₂yéti, from Proto-Indo-European -yéti — he, she.

killer (Chinese): professor who is known for often giving students failing grades

Definitions

  1. professor who is known for often giving students failing grades

Ancestry of “killer”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishkillerOne who or that which kills; That which causes...
2English-erA person or thing that does an action indicated...
3Middle English-eragentive suffix; agent noun suffix
4Old French-erAlternative form of -ier, verbal suffix;...
5Latin-ārefirst conjugation
6Proto-Italic-āōForms primarily denominative verbs
7Proto-Indo-European-eh₂yétiCreates iterative/ frequentative/ intensive...
8Proto-Indo-European-yétiCreates intransitive, often deponent,...
9Proto-Indo-Europeanyé-
10Chichewaiyehe, she
Every word from Chichewa iye