Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “alumna” come from?

alumna (English) comes from Latin alumna, from Latin alumnus, from Proto-Italic alomanos, from Proto-Indo-European h₂el-o-mh₁no-, from Proto-Indo-European h₂el- — to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam.

alumna (English): A female pupil or student; A female graduate

Definitions

  1. A female pupil or student; A female graduate

Ancestry of “alumna”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinalumnanominative feminine singular of alumnus;...
2LatinalumnusNourished, fostered, etc; Nursling, pupil; foster...
3Proto-Italicalomanos—
4Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂el-o-mh₁no-being nourished
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂el-to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂el- →