Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Ur” come from?

Ur derives from German ur-, which comes from Latin continens, ultimately tracing to Latin cum meaning "with" or "together."

Ancestry of “Ur”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1GermanUrkontinentpalaeocontinent
2GermanKontinentcontinent
3Latincontinēns—
4LatincontineoI hold or keep together/close, surround, contain;...
5Latincōn-—
6Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
7Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
8Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
9Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
10Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
11Middle Englishkyt—
12Germankitt—
13Old High Germankuti—
14Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
15Proto-Germanickweduzresin
16Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
17Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →