Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “drawbridge” come from?

Drawbridge comes from Middle English drawbrigge, combining Old English brycġ (bridge) with the verb draw, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European dʰreǵ- (to drag or draw).

drawbridge (English): A hinged bridge which can be raised

Definitions

  1. A hinged bridge which can be raised

Ancestry of “drawbridge”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishdrawebrigge—
2Middle EnglishbriggeA bridge
3Old Norsebryggjapier, gangway
4Proto-Germanicbrewwanąto brew
5Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰrewh₁-to boil; to brew
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰer-to bear, carry

Words derived from “drawbridge”

  • drawbridged
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰer- →