Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “complication” come from?

Complication comes from Middle French complication, derived from Latin complicatio, a noun formation from the prefix con- and the root meaning "to fold together."

complication (English): The act or process of complicating; The state of...

Definitions

  1. The act or process of complicating; The state of...

Ancestry of “complication”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Frenchcomplication—
2Latincomplicatiofolding up; multiplication, complication
3Latincomplicō—
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 “complication”

  • overcomplication
  • uncomplication
  • decomplication
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →