Where does “carryforward” come from?

Carryforward derives from Middle English carrien combined with Old English foreward, which combines the Old English prefix fore- with Proto-Indo-European per-, meaning through or forward.

carryforward (English): An income tax loss or credit not usable in the...

Definitions

  1. An income tax loss or credit not usable in the...

Ancestry of “carryforward”, step by step

carryforward traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English forward

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishforwardToward the front or at the front; Without...
2Middle Englishforewardforward; agreement, contract, treaty, bargain,...
3Old Englishforeweardforward, fore, former, early, prior; an...
4Old Englishweardguard; guard, the action of looking out for...
5Old Englishōraore, unwrought metal
6Old Englishēarsea, ocean; grave, earth
7Proto-Germanicahazear
8Proto-Finnicahtasnarrow, cramped
9Proto-Balticanśtas
10Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂énǵʰusnarrow, tight
11Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂enǵʰ-to constrict, tighten, compress; narrow, tight;...

via English carry

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcarryTo lift and take it to another place; to...
2Middle Englishcariento transport
3Anglo-Normancarierto carry
4Latincarrusa wagon, a four-wheeled baggage cart; a cartload,...
5Gaulishkarroswagon
6Proto-Celtickarroswagon
7Proto-Indo-Europeanḱr̥sósvehicle
8Proto-Indo-Europeanḱers-to run
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂enǵʰ-
carryforward — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer