Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “deep” come from?

Deep comes from Middle English depe, from Old English dēop, from Proto-Germanic deupaz, from Proto-Indo-European dʰewb-, a root of uncertain ultimate meaning.

deep (English): "Extending far away from a point of reference,...

Definitions

  1. "Extending far away from a point of reference,...

Ancestry of “deep”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishdepAlternative form of depe
2EnglishdepartmentA part, portion, or subdivision; A distinct...
3Frenchdépartementdepartment; département
4Middle Frenchdépartement—
5Old Frenchdépartement—
6Old Frenchdepartirto leave; to depart; departure
7Latindepartiō—
8Latindē-—
9Latindē—
10Latinpostbehind; after, since, besides, except; behind,...
11Latinposteablative singular of postis
12Proto-Italicposti—
13Proto-Indo-Europeanpósti—
14Proto-Indo-Europeanpósafterwards, post; by, at

Words derived from “deep”

  • deepen
  • deepwater
  • foredeep
  • deepish
  • ultradeep
  • deepfelt
  • dipsey
  • deepwell
  • deepmost
  • deepener
  • superdeep
  • heartdeep
  • nondeep
  • deepeneth
  • deepity
  • deepenest
  • deep-seated
  • deepsome
  • deep-throat
  • deep-throater
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pós →