Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “counterstain” come from?

counterstain (English) comes from English stain, from Middle English steinen, from Old Norse steina, from Old Norse Steinn, from Proto-Norse ᛊᛏᚨᛁᚾᚨᛉ, from Proto-Germanic stainaz, from Proto-Indo-European steyh₂-, from Proto-Indo-European steh₂- — to stand.

counterstain (English): A stain contrasting with the principal stain in...

Definitions

  1. A stain contrasting with the principal stain in...

Ancestry of “counterstain”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishstainA discoloured spot or area; A blemish on one's...
2Middle Englishsteinento stain
3Old Norsesteinato stain, colour, paint
4Old NorseSteinn—
5Proto-Norseᛊᛏᚨᛁᚾᚨᛉstone
6Proto-Germanicstainazstone
7Proto-Indo-Europeansteyh₂-to stiffen
8Proto-Indo-Europeansteh₂-to stand
Every word from Proto-Indo-European steh₂- →