Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “bilabial” come from?

bilabial (English) comes from English labial, from Medieval Latin labialis, from Latin labium, from Latin bellus, from Latin villus, from Latin vellus, from Proto-Indo-European h₂welh₁- — to rule; strong, powerful; hair; wool.

bilabial (English): Articulated with both lips; A speech sound...

Definitions

  1. Articulated with both lips; A speech sound...

Ancestry of “bilabial”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlabialOf or pertaining to the lips or labia;...
2Medieval Latinlabialisof or pertaining to the lips; of the lips;...
3Latinlabiumlip
4Latinbellusbeautiful, pretty, handsome; pleasant, agreeable,...
5Latinvillushair, tuft of hair, shaggy hair
6LatinvellusThe wool shorn from a sheep; fleece; wool; The...
7Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂welh₁-to rule; strong, powerful; hair; wool

Words derived from “bilabial”

  • bilabially
  • nonbilabial
  • prebilabial
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂welh₁- →