Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “decompression” come from?

Decompression comes from English decompression, formed from the prefix de- and compression, which derives from Middle French compression, from Latin compressio, a noun formed from compressus, the past participle of comprimere meaning to press together.

decompression (English): The process of decompressing; The restoration to...

Definitions

  1. The process of decompressing; The restoration to...

Ancestry of “decompression”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcompressionAn increase in density; the act of compressing,...
2Middle Frenchcompressioncompression
3Latincompressiosqueezing, compression; embrace
4Latincomprimō—
5Latincōn-—
6Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
7Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
8Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
9Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
10Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
11Middle Englishkyt—
12Germankitt—
13Old High Germankuti—
14Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
15Proto-Germanickweduzresin
16Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
17Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

Words derived from “decompression”

  • microdecompression
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →