Where does “durable” come from?
Durable comes from Middle English durable, from Latin durabilis, an adjective formed from Latin durus meaning "hard" or "firm" and the Latin suffix -bilis, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European drew- meaning "to hold firm."
durable (English): Able to resist wear, decay; lasting; enduring; A...
Definitions
- Able to resist wear, decay; lasting; enduring; A...
Ancestry of “durable”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | durable | — |
| 2 | Latin | durabilis | durable, lasting |
| 3 | Latin | duro | dative masculine singular of dūrus; dative neuter... |
| 4 | Latin | durus | hard, rough; harsh; hardy, vigorous |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | drew- | hard, firm, strong, solid; hard, fast; tree |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | dóru | tree |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | deru- | firm, solid; wood; be firm, hard, solid |
Words derived from “durable”