Where does “coyishness” come from?
coyishness (English) comes from English coyish, from English coy, from Middle English coy, from Old French coi, from Old French quei, from Latin quiētus, from Latin quiēscō, from Latin quiēs — to rest; rest, peace.
coyishness (English): The quality of being coyish
Definitions
- The quality of being coyish
Ancestry of “coyishness”, step by step
coyishness traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English coyish
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | coyish | Somewhat coy |
| 2 | English | coy | Bashful, shy, retiring; Quiet, reserved, modest;... |
| 3 | Middle English | coy | — |
| 4 | Old French | coi | — |
| 5 | Old French | quei | quiet, still |
| 6 | Latin | quiētus | at rest/nap, quiet, keeping quiet, quietude, quietness |
| 7 | Latin | quiēscō | to rest, sleep, repose |
| 8 | Latin | quiēs | the rest of sleep, repose |
| 9 | Proto-Italic | kʷiētis | — |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | kʷyéh₁tis | — |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | kʷyeh₁- | to rest; rest, peace |
via English Ness
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Ness | An Ulster princess and the mother of Conchobar mac Nessa and Findchoem in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. Daughter of Eochaid Sálbuide. Also the mother of Cormac Cond Longas by incest with Conchobar mac Nessa |
| 2 | Middle English | nesse | — |
| 3 | Old English | næs | not, not at all; not; first/third-person singular... |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | nasją | foothill; headland; cape |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | néh₂s | nose |