Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “constraint” come from?

Constraint comes from Middle English constreynt, from Old French constreinte, the past participle of Old French constreindre, from Latin constringere, meaning to bind together.

constraint (English): Something that constrains; a restriction; An...

Definitions

  1. Something that constrains; a restriction; An...

Ancestry of “constraint”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishconstreynt—
2Old Frenchconstreinte—
3Latinconstringō—
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 “constraint”

  • unconstraint
  • multiconstraint
  • unconstrainted
  • constraintive
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →