Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “daycare” come from?

Daycare comes from English day and care, with day descending from Middle English day, Old English dæġ, and Proto-Germanic karō, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ǵeh₂r-.

daycare (English): Daytime supervision, usually of children

Definitions

  1. Daytime supervision, usually of children

Ancestry of “daycare”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcareGrief, sorrow; Close attention; concern;...
2Middle Englishcaregrief; sorrow
3Old Englishcaruworry, anxiety, care; sorrow, grief
4Proto-West Germanickarucare, worry
5Proto-Germanickarōcomplaint, lament, grievance, moan; worry,...
6Proto-Indo-Europeanǵeh₂r-to shout, cry; exclamation; voice; to call, cry
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵeh₂r- →