Where does “drownproof” come from?
drownproof (English) comes from English proof, from Middle English proof, from Old French prove, from Latin proba, from Latin probāre, from Latin probō, from Latin Probus, from Proto-Indo-European pro-bhwo- — passed , crossed.
drownproof (English): To train (a person) to float in water without sinking or drowning, occasionally raising the mouth above the surface to take a breath
Definitions
- To train (a person) to float in water without sinking or drowning, occasionally raising the mouth above the surface to take a breath
Ancestry of “drownproof”, step by step
drownproof traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English proof
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | proof | An effort, process, or operation designed to... |
| 2 | Middle English | proof | — |
| 3 | Old French | prove | — |
| 4 | Latin | proba | test, trial; proof, evidence |
| 5 | Latin | probāre | — |
| 6 | Latin | probō | to approve, permit, commend |
| 7 | Latin | Probus | good, serviceable, excellent, superior, able |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | pro-bhwo- | being in front, prominent |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | pro- | toward, forward |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | por- | to give birth; forward, through; going, passage |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |