Where does “downpick” come from?

downpick (English) comes from English pick, from Middle English piken, from Middle English pyke, from Old English pīc, from Proto-Germanic *pīk, from Latin pix, from Proto-Indo-European pik-, from Proto-Indo-European pi- — sap, juice.

downpick (English): A downward stroke with a plectrum on a stringed instrument; downstroke

Definitions

  1. A downward stroke with a plectrum on a stringed instrument; downstroke

Ancestry of “downpick”, step by step

downpick traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English pick

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishpickA tool used for digging; a pickaxe; A tool for...
2Middle EnglishpikenTo pick at; to use a edged tool on; To pierce or...
3Middle EnglishpykeA sharp round point or projection; A point or end...
4Old Englishpīcpointed object, pick axe
5Proto-Germanic*pīk
6Latinpixpitch, tar
7Proto-Indo-Europeanpik-to be angry; pitch; resin
8Proto-Indo-Europeanpi-sap, juice

via English Down

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishDownusually known as County Down
2Middle Englishdoundown
3Old Englishdūnhill, down; hill, dune; hill, mountain
4Proto-Germanic*dūnā
5Proto-Celticdūnomstronghold, rampart
6Proto-Indo-Europeandʰewh₂-smoke; mist, haze
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pi-Every word from Proto-Indo-European pik-Every word from Latin pix