Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Dao” come from?

Dao derives from Chinese 道, a character whose original meaning remains uncertain despite its long attestation in Chinese texts.

Ancestry of “Dao”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Chinese刀knife; single-edged sword
2EnglishDollar—
3Dutchdollardollar
4EnglishdollarOfficial designation for currency in some parts...
5DutchdalerOne who descends, one who goes down; Superseded...
6Germantaler—
7GermanJoachimsthaler—
8GermanSankt JoachimsthalSt. Joachim's Valley
9GermanSanktSaint: title given to a saint
10Latinsānctus—
11LatinIacobusJacob; James; Saint James
12Ancient GreekἸάκωβος—
13Ancient GreekἸακώβ—
14HebrewיַעֲקֹבJacob
15Hebrewעָקֵבheel of the foot; heel
Every word from Hebrew עָקֵב →