Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “complementarity” come from?

Complementarity comes from English complementary, from Latin complementum with the suffix -itas denoting a quality or state, ultimately from Latin com meaning together.

complementarity (English): The state or characteristic of being...

Definitions

  1. The state or characteristic of being...

Ancestry of “complementarity”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcomplementaryActing as a complement; making up a whole with...
2EnglishcomplementSomething that completes; the consummation; The...
3Latincomplementumcomplement
4Latincompleō—
5Latincōn-—
6Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
7Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
8Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
9Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
10Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
11Middle Englishkyt—
12Germankitt—
13Old High Germankuti—
14Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
15Proto-Germanickweduzresin
16Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
17Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →