Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “cherish” come from?

Cherish comes from Middle English charish, from Old French chierir, derived from Latin carus meaning "dear," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European keh₂-.

cherish (English): To treat with affection, care, and tenderness; to...

Definitions

  1. To treat with affection, care, and tenderness; to...

Ancestry of “cherish”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishcharish—
2Old Frenchchierirto cherish
3Old Frenchchierimportant, noteworthy; dear, dearest; expensive;...
4Latincārus—
5Proto-Italickārosdear
6Proto-Indo-Europeankéh₂rosloved; dear
7Proto-Indo-Europeankeh₂-to desire, wish

Words derived from “cherish”

  • cherishing
  • cherisheth
  • cherisher
  • cherishable
  • cherishment
  • cherishingly
Every word from Proto-Indo-European keh₂- →