Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “breathtaker” come from?

breathtaker (English) comes from English breath, from Middle English breeth, from Old English brǣþ, from Proto-Germanic brēþiz, from Proto-Indo-European bʰrē-t-, from Proto-Indo-European bʰer- — to bear, carry.

breathtaker (English): Something astounding, impressive, or both

Definitions

  1. Something astounding, impressive, or both

Ancestry of “breathtaker”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishbreathThe act or process of breathing; A single act of...
2Middle Englishbreethbreath
3Old Englishbrǣþodor, scent, stink, exhalation, vapor
4Proto-Germanicbrēþizvapour; steam; breath; odour, smell
5Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰrē-t-exhalation from heat; steam
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰer-to bear, carry
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰer- →