Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “contradistinction” come from?

Contradistinction comes from Latin contra and distinguere, ultimately deriving from Proto-Indo-European dwóh₁ meaning two, expressing the concept of distinguishing between opposing things.

contradistinction (English): Distinction by contrast; the provision of one...

Definitions

  1. Distinction by contrast; the provision of one...

Ancestry of “contradistinction”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishdistinctionThat which distinguishes; a single occurrence of...
2Old Frenchdistinction—
3Latindistinctiodifference, distinction; sign of interpunction,...
4Latin-tiō—
5Latindissertātiō—
6Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
7Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
8Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
9Latincalceusshoe
10Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
11Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →