Where does “countermand” come from?
Countermand derives from Old French contremander, from Latin contramando, combining contra (against) and manus (hand), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning to give or place.
countermand (English): To revoke (a former command); to cancel or rescind by giving an order contrary to one previously given
Definitions
- To revoke (a former command); to cancel or rescind by giving an order contrary to one previously given
Ancestry of “countermand”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old French | contremander | to countermand |
| 2 | Medieval Latin | contramando | — |
| 3 | Latin | mandō | to order, command, enjoin |
| 4 | Latin | manus | hand; bravery, valor; violence, fighting |
| 5 | Proto-Italic | manus | hand |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | man- | human being; man; hand |