Where does “testpen” come from?

testpen (Dutch) comes from Dutch test, from English Test, from German testen, from German Test, from English test, from Middle English teste, from Old French teste, from Latin testis — to stand.

testpen (Dutch): test light

Definitions

  1. test light

Ancestry of “testpen”, step by step

testpen traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Dutch test

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Dutchtesttest; A test, an earthen bowl or pot; A test, a...
2EnglishTesta Test match
3Germantestento test
4GermanTesttest; melting pot
5EnglishtestA challenge, trial; A cupel or cupelling hearth...
6Middle Englishteste
7Old Frenchtestehead
8Latintestiswitness; one who testifies or attests; testicle
9Latinterstis
10Latintrīstissad, unhappy, melancholy, morose
11Proto-Indo-Europeantristh₂sa third party standing, after the two parties to...
12Proto-Indo-Europeansteh₂-to stand

via Dutch pen

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Dutchpenpen; a long feather of a bird; pin
2Middle Dutchpenne
3Old Frenchpennefeather
4Latinpennawing; feather, especially a flight-feather;...
5Proto-Italicpetnāfeather; wing
6Proto-Indo-Europeanpéth₂r̥wing; feather
7Proto-Indo-Europeanpeth₂-to spread out; to fly
Every word from Proto-Indo-European steh₂-Every word from Proto-Indo-European tristh₂sEvery word from Latin trīstis
testpen — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer