Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “compulsive” come from?

Compulsive comes from French compulsif, derived from Latin compulsus, the past participle of compellere, meaning to drive together or force.

compulsive (English): Uncontrolled or reactive and irresistible; Having...

Definitions

  1. Uncontrolled or reactive and irresistible; Having...

Ancestry of “compulsive”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchcompulsifcompulsive
2Latincompulsuscompelled; urged
3Latincompelleresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
4Latincom-allomorph of con-
5Latincon-Used in compounds to indicate a being or bringing...
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,...

Words derived from “compulsive”

  • compulsively
  • compulsiveness
  • compulsivity
  • noncompulsive
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →