Where does “coyish” come from?
coyish (English) comes from English coy, from Middle English coy, from Old French coi, from Old French quei, from Latin quiētus, from Latin quiēscō, from Latin quiēs, from Proto-Italic kʷiētis — to rest; rest, peace.
coyish (English): Somewhat coy
Ancestry of “coyish”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | coy | Bashful, shy, retiring; Quiet, reserved, modest;... |
| 2 | Middle English | coy | — |
| 3 | Old French | coi | — |
| 4 | Old French | quei | quiet, still |
| 5 | Latin | quiētus | — |
| 6 | Latin | quiēscō | — |
| 7 | Latin | quiēs | — |
| 8 | Proto-Italic | kʷiētis | — |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | kʷyéh₁tis | — |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | kʷyeh₁- | to rest; rest, peace |
Words derived from “coyish”