Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “enthusiastically” come from?

Enthusiastically derives from English enthusiastic plus the Middle English adverbial suffix -ally, ultimately tracing to Greek enthousiastikos meaning inspired by divine possession.

enthusiastically (English): In an enthusiastic manner

Definitions

  1. In an enthusiastic manner

Ancestry of “enthusiastically”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1English-allyAlternative form of -ly , used with adjectives in...
2EnglishahistoricSynonym of ahistorical
3EnglishhistoricVery important; noteworthy: having importance or...
4Latinhistoricushistorical
5Latinhistoriahistory; account; story
6Ancient Greekἱστορίαinquiry, examination, systematic observation,...
7Ancient Greekἱστορέωto inquire, ask; to examine, observe; to record,...
8Ancient Greekἵστωρone who knows law and right, judge; witness; a...
9Proto-Hellenicwístōr—
10Proto-Indo-Europeanwéydtōrone who has seen, one who knows
11Indo-European*weyd-—
Every word from Indo-European *weyd- →