Where does “def” come from?

def (English) comes from English definitely, from English definite, from Latin definitus, from Latin dēfīniō, from Latin dē-, from Latin dē, from Latin post, from Latin poste — afterwards, post; by, at.

def (English): Abbreviation of deficit; Abbreviation of...

Definitions

  1. Abbreviation of deficit; Abbreviation of...

Ancestry of “def”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishdefinitelyWithout question and beyond doubt; In a definite...
2EnglishdefiniteHaving distinct limits; Free from any doubt;...
3Latindefinituslimited, terminated
4Latindēfīniōto bound, set bounds to; to limit
5Latindē-of; from
6Latinof; concerning; about
7Latinpostbehind; after, since, besides, except; behind,...
8Latinposteablative singular of postis
9Proto-Italicpostibehind, after
10Proto-Indo-Europeanpóstiafter
11Proto-Indo-Europeanpósafterwards, post; by, at
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pós
def — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer