Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “commotion” come from?

Commotion comes from Middle French commocion, from Latin commotionem, the accusative form of commotio, meaning disturbance or agitation, derived from commoveo, a verb formed with the prefix com- meaning together.

commotion (English): A state of turbulent motion; An agitated...

Definitions

  1. A state of turbulent motion; An agitated...

Ancestry of “commotion”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Frenchcommocion—
2Latincommōtiō—
3LatincommoveoI move something in violent motion, move; shake,...
4Latincon-Used in compounds to indicate a being or bringing...
5Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
6Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
7Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
8Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
9Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
10Middle Englishkyt—
11Germankitt—
12Old High Germankuti—
13Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
14Proto-Germanickweduzresin
15Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
16Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

Words derived from “commotion”

  • commotional
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →