Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “concerning” come from?

Concerning comes from Middle French concerner, which combines Latin com- (meaning "with" or "together") and a root related to discerning or distinguishing.

concerning (English): Causing concern; worrisome; Important; Regarding,...

Definitions

  1. Causing concern; worrisome; Important; Regarding,...

Ancestry of “concerning”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishconcernThat which affects one’s welfare or happiness. A...
2Middle Frenchconcerner—
3Medieval LatinconcernoI distinguish, have respect to; I mix, sift or...
4Latinconcernō—
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,...

Words derived from “concerning”

  • unconcerning
  • concerningly
  • inconcerning
  • concerningness
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →