Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “competitor” come from?

Competitor comes from Middle French compétiteur, from Latin competitor, formed from the verb peto and the prefix com-, meaning "to seek together."

competitor (English): A person or organization against whom one is...

Definitions

  1. A person or organization against whom one is...

Ancestry of “competitor”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Frenchcompétiteur—
2Latincompetītor—
3Latincompetō—
4Latincōn-—
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 “competitor”

  • noncompetitor
  • competitress
  • supercompetitor
  • archcompetitor
  • intercompetitor
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →