Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Translation” come from?

Translation (English) comes from Middle English translacioun, from Anglo-Norman translacioun, from Latin trānslātiō, from Latin trānsferō, from Latin ferō, from Proto-Italic ferō, from Proto-Indo-European bʰéreti, from Proto-Indo-European bʰēr- — shiny, light brown.

Ancestry of “Translation”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishtranslaciounRelocation, removal; Divestment or giving away;...
2Anglo-NormantranslaciounAlternative form of translacion
3Latintrānslātiō—
4Latintrānsferō—
5Latinferō—
6Proto-Italicferōcarry, bear
7Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰéretito be carrying
8Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰēr-shiny, light brown
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰēr- →