Where does “breathhold” come from?
breathhold (English) comes from English hold, from English hole, from Middle English hole, from Old English hol, from Proto-West Germanic hol, from Proto-Germanic hulą, from Proto-Germanic hulaz, from Proto-Indo-European ḱel- — to cover; to incline.
breathhold (English): The act of holding breath; An instance of holding...
Definitions
- The act of holding breath; An instance of holding...
Ancestry of “breathhold”, step by step
breathhold traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English hold
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | hold | To grasp or grip; To contain or store; "To... |
| 2 | English | hole | A hollow place or cavity; an excavation; a pit;... |
| 3 | Middle English | hole | healthy; safe; whole, complete, full |
| 4 | Old English | hol | a hole, a hollow; calumny; slander |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | hol | hollow; hole |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | hulą | a hollow; depression; hole |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | hulaz | hollow |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱel- | to cover; to incline |
via English breath
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | breath | The act or process of breathing; A single act of... |
| 2 | Middle English | breeth | breath |
| 3 | Old English | brǣþ | odor, scent, stink, exhalation, vapor |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | brēþiz | vapour; steam; breath; odour, smell |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰrē-t- | exhalation from heat; steam |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰer- | to bear, carry |