Where does “-proof” come from?
-proof (English) comes from English proof, from Middle English proof, from Old French prove, from Latin proba, from Latin probāre, from Latin probō, from Latin Probus, from Proto-Indo-European pro-bhwo- — passed , crossed.
-proof (English): Used to form adjectives denoting an impervious or...
Definitions
- Used to form adjectives denoting an impervious or...
Ancestry of “-proof”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | proof | An effort, process, or operation designed to... |
| 2 | Middle English | proof | — |
| 3 | Old French | prove | — |
| 4 | Latin | proba | test, trial; proof, evidence |
| 5 | Latin | probāre | — |
| 6 | Latin | probō | to approve, permit, commend |
| 7 | Latin | Probus | good, serviceable, excellent, superior, able |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | pro-bhwo- | being in front, prominent |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | pro- | toward, forward |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | por- | to give birth; forward, through; going, passage |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |