Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “bulletproof” come from?

Bulletproof derives from English bullet and English proof, with bullet coming from Middle French -el, Latin bulla meaning a bubble or rounded object, and ultimately Proto-Indo-European bʰel- meaning to swell.

bulletproof (English): Capable of withstanding a direct shot by a bullet...

Definitions

  1. Capable of withstanding a direct shot by a bullet...

Ancestry of “bulletproof”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1English-proofUsed to form adjectives denoting an impervious or...
2EnglishproofAn effort, process, or operation designed to...
3Middle Englishproof—
4Old Frenchprove—
5Latinprobatest, trial; proof, evidence
6Latinprobāre—
7Latinprobō—
8LatinProbus—
9Proto-Indo-Europeanpro-bhwo-being in front, prominent
10Proto-Indo-Europeanpro-toward, forward
11Proto-Indo-Europeanpor-to give birth; forward, through; going, passage
12Proto-Indo-Europeanper-before, in front; first; to go through
13Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥tóspassed , crossed
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós →