Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “contemplate” come from?

Contemplate derives from Latin contemplatus, the past participle of contemplari, formed from the prefix com- meaning "with" and a root meaning "to observe or consider."

contemplate (English): To look at on all sides or in all its aspects; to...

Definitions

  1. To look at on all sides or in all its aspects; to...

Ancestry of “contemplate”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latincontemplātus—
2LatincontemplorI observe, note or notice; I gaze at or regard; I...
3Latincōn-—
4Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
5Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
6Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
7Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
8Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
9Middle Englishkyt—
10Germankitt—
11Old High Germankuti—
12Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
13Proto-Germanickweduzresin
14Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
15Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

Words derived from “contemplate”

  • contemplator
  • contemplatist
  • contemplatest
  • contemplateth
  • contemplatable
  • uncontemplatable
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →