Where does “handstand” come from?

handstand (Dutch) comes from Dutch stand, from English stand, from English op, from English op shop, from English opportunity, from English opportune, from Middle French opportunité, from Latin opportūnitās — passed , crossed.

handstand (Dutch): handstand

Definitions

  1. handstand

Ancestry of “handstand”, step by step

handstand traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Dutch stand

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Dutchstandposture, position, bearing; rank, standing,...
2Englishstand"To position or be positioned physically."; "To...
3EnglishopAn operation; An amateur radio operator; An...
4Englishop shopA shop, usually operated by a charity, to which...
5EnglishopportunityA chance for advancement, progress or profit; A...
6EnglishopportuneSuitable for some particular purpose; At a...
7Middle Frenchopportunité
8Latinopportūnitāsconvenience, fitness
9Latinopportūnussuitable
10LatinPortus” or, later, “Portus Rōmae”}} Portus large artificial harbour of Ancient Rome
11Proto-Italicportusharbour
12Proto-Indo-Europeanpértuscrossing
13Proto-Indo-Europeanper-before, in front; first; to go through
14Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥tóspassed , crossed

via Dutch hand

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1DutchhandA hand of a human, other simian or other animal...
2Middle Dutchhanthand; person; side
3Old Dutchhanthand
4Proto-West Germanichanduhand
5SwedishhandA hand; A hand; the set of cards held by a player
6Old SwedishhandA hand; A direction; A behalf
7Old Norsehǫndhand
8Proto-Germanichanduzhand
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós