Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Gnat” come from?

Gnat comes from Old English gnætt, from Proto-Germanic gnattaz, from Proto-Indo-European gʰneHdʰn-, ultimately from the root gʰen- meaning to strike or gnaw.

Gnat (English): A type of jet fighter aircraft

Definitions

  1. A type of jet fighter aircraft

Ancestry of “Gnat”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishgnatA gnat or similar insect; Something of little...
2Old Englishgnætta small flying insect or midge; gnat
3Proto-West Germanic*gnatt—
4Proto-GermanicgnattazA bite or scratch; A biting insect; mosquito
5Proto-Indo-EuropeangʰneHdʰn-—
6Proto-Indo-Europeangʰen-to gnaw; bite; scratch; grind; to gnaw; bite;...

Words derived from “Gnat”

  • Gnat
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʰen- →