Where does “breathtaking” come from?
Breathtaking comes from English breath and taking, with breath deriving from Middle English breth, Old English brǣþ, Proto-Germanic brēþiz, and Proto-Indo-European bʰrē-t-, ultimately from the root bʰer- meaning to carry or bear.
breathtaking (English): stunningly beautiful; amazing; Very surprising or...
Definitions
- stunningly beautiful; amazing; Very surprising or...
Ancestry of “breathtaking”, step by step
breathtaking traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
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 |
via English taking
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | taking | Alluring; attractive; Infectious; contagious; The... |