Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “dereliction” come from?

Dereliction comes from Latin derelictio, formed from the prefix re- and the root wer- meaning "to turn," with the prefix de- added to create a sense of abandonment or forsaking.

dereliction (English): Willful neglect of one's duty; The act of...

Definitions

  1. Willful neglect of one's duty; The act of...

Ancestry of “dereliction”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latindērelictiō—
2Latin-tiō—
3Latindissertātiō—
4Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
5Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
6Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
7Latincalceusshoe
8Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
9Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →