Where does “apprehensively” come from?
Apprehensively derives from Middle English -ly and Old English -līċ, both forming adverbs from Proto-Germanic -līkaz (body-like, form-like), itself from Proto-Indo-European līg- and ḱóm.
apprehensively (English): in an apprehensive manner; with apprehension
Definitions
- in an apprehensive manner; with apprehension
Ancestry of “apprehensively”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | -ly | Used to form adjectives from nouns, the... |
| 2 | English | grisly | Horrifyingly repellent; gruesome, terrifying;... |
| 3 | Middle English | grisely | — |
| 4 | Old English | grisliċ | grisly, horrible; dreadful, horrid |
| 5 | Old English | -līċ | suffix forming {{glossary|adjective}}s meaning... |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | *-līk | — |