Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “contractile” come from?

Contractile derives from French contractile, from French contracter meaning to draw together or reduce in size.

contractile (English): Capable of contracting, or of being contracted

Definitions

  1. Capable of contracting, or of being contracted

Ancestry of “contractile”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchcontractilecontractile
2FrenchcontracterTo engage via a formal or informal contract; to...
3Latincontractuscollected, accomplished, contracted; narrow,...
4Latincontrahō—
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 “contractile”

  • noncontractile
  • hypercontractile
  • anticontractile
  • vasocontractile
  • electrocontractile
  • supercontractile
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →