Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Shaivism” come from?

Shaivism (English) comes from Sanskrit शैव, from Sanskrit शिव, from Sanskrit शी, from Proto-Indo-European ḱey- — to be lying down; to settle.

Ancestry of “Shaivism”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Sanskritशैवrelating to, belonging to, or sacred to Shiva; a...
2Sanskritशिवauspicious, favourable; happy, fortunate; m...
3Sanskritशीto lie down
4Proto-Indo-Europeanḱey-to be lying down; to settle
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ḱey- →