Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “charactery” come from?

charactery (English) comes from English character, from Middle English caracter, from Old French caractere, from Latin character, from Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ, from Ancient Greek χαράσσω, from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰer- — to yearn for; to enclose; bowels, intestines.

charactery (English): The art or means of characterizing; a system of...

Definitions

  1. The art or means of characterizing; a system of...

Ancestry of “charactery”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcharacterA being involved in the action of a story; A...
2Middle Englishcaracter—
3Old Frenchcaracteremark; sign; indication
4Latincharacterbranding iron; brand; characteristic, mark,...
5Ancient Greekχαρακτήρinstrument used for engraving; person who...
6Ancient Greekχαράσσωto sharpen; to engrave, carve, write, draw, stamp
7Proto-Indo-Europeanǵʰer-to yearn for; to enclose; bowels, intestines
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰer- →