Where does “autokey” come from?

autokey (English) comes from English auto, from English automatic, from French automatique, from French automate, from Ancient Greek αὐτόματον, from Ancient Greek αὐτόματος, from Ancient Greek μέμαα, from Ancient Greek μέμονα — to think, mind; spiritual activity; to stay,...

autokey (English): Being a cipher that incorporates the plaintext...

Definitions

  1. Being a cipher that incorporates the plaintext...

Ancestry of “autokey”, step by step

autokey traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English auto

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishautoClipping of automatic; An automobile; A setting...
2EnglishautomaticCapable of operating without external control or...
3Frenchautomatiqueautomatic
4Frenchautomateautomaton
5Ancient Greekαὐτόματονaccident, mere chance
6Ancient Greekαὐτόματοςself-willed, unbidden; self-moving,...
7Ancient Greekμέμααto wish eagerly, strive, yearn, desire
8Ancient Greekμέμοναto be minded or inclined; to be eager; to hasten
9Proto-Indo-Europeanmemóneto think, to be mindful; to remember
10Proto-Indo-Europeanmen-to think, mind; spiritual activity; to stay,...

via English key

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishkeyAn object designed to open and close a lock; An...
2EnglishcayA small, low island largely made of sand or coral
3SpanishCayokey island
4Taínocayosmall island
Every word from Proto-Indo-European men-Every word from Proto-Indo-European memóneEvery word from Ancient Greek μέμονα