Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “characteristically” come from?

Characteristically comes from English characteristic, from Ancient Greek χαρακτηριστικός, from Ancient Greek χαρακτηρίζω, from Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ meaning an engraved mark or distinctive feature, from Ancient Greek χαράσσω meaning to scratch or engrave, from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰer-.

characteristically (English): In a usual or expected way; in characteristic...

Definitions

  1. In a usual or expected way; in characteristic...

Ancestry of “characteristically”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1English-allyAlternative form of -ly , used with adjectives in...
2EnglishahistoricSynonym of ahistorical
3EnglishhistoricVery important; noteworthy: having importance or...
4Latinhistoricushistorical
5Latinhistoriahistory; account; story
6Ancient Greekἱστορίαinquiry, examination, systematic observation,...
7Ancient Greekἱστορέωto inquire, ask; to examine, observe; to record,...
8Ancient Greekἵστωρone who knows law and right, judge; witness; a...
9Proto-Hellenicwístōr—
10Proto-Indo-Europeanwéydtōrone who has seen, one who knows
11Indo-European*weyd-—
Every word from Indo-European *weyd- →