Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “cherishing” come from?

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

cherishing (English): present participle of cherish; The act by which...

Definitions

  1. present participle of cherish; The act by which...

Ancestry of “cherishing”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcherishTo treat with affection, care, and tenderness; to...
2Middle Englishcharish—
3Old Frenchchierirto cherish
4Old Frenchchierimportant, noteworthy; dear, dearest; expensive;...
5Latincārus—
6Proto-Italickārosdear
7Proto-Indo-Europeankéh₂rosloved; dear
8Proto-Indo-Europeankeh₂-to desire, wish

Words derived from “cherishing”

  • cherishingly
Every word from Proto-Indo-European keh₂- →