Where does “Arminius” come from?
Arminius is derived from Latin Arminius, which comes from Proto-Germanic ermunaz, a term of uncertain original meaning whose sense development remains unclear.
Arminius (English): A chieftain of the Cherusci (an ancient Germanic tribe) who defeated the Romans in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest
Definitions
- A chieftain of the Cherusci (an ancient Germanic tribe) who defeated the Romans in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest
Ancestry of “Arminius”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | Arminius | name of a Cherusci chieftain |
| 2 | Proto-Germanic | ermunaz | strong, whole; Irmin |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | gardaz | enclosure; court, yard; garden |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | gʰórdʰos | hedge, fence, enclosure; hedge, enclosure;... |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | gʰerdʰ- | to enclose, to encircle; enclosure, fence, belt |