Where does “Abyssinian” come from?
Abyssinian derives from English Abyssinia, which combines Middle English and Old English -en with Proto-Germanic jainaz, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European roots i- and en.
Abyssinian (English): Of or pertaining to Ethiopia or its inhabitants;...
Definitions
- Of or pertaining to Ethiopia or its inhabitants;...
Ancestry of “Abyssinian”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | -n | Alternative form of -en; API; Alternative form of... |
| 2 | Old Norse | -inn | Used to create adjectives from nouns, meaning... |
| 3 | Proto-Norse | -īna- | — |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | -īnaz | -en |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | -iHnos | Creates adjectives of materials |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | -no- | adjectival suffix |