Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “axilla” come from?

Axilla derives from Latin axilla, from Latin ala, from Latin axis, from Proto-Indo-European h₂eḱs-, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂eǵ- meaning to drive or move.

axilla (English): The armpit, or the cavity beneath the junction of...

Definitions

  1. The armpit, or the cavity beneath the junction of...

Ancestry of “axilla”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinaxillalittle wing; axilla, armpit
2GermanAchselarmpit, axilla; shoulder; shoulder joint
3Old High Germanahsala—
4Proto-Germanicahslōshoulder
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eḱs-l-eh₂—
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eḱs-axis, axle
7Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eǵ-to drive
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eǵ- →