Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “erratically” come from?

Erratically derives from English erratic, from Latin erraticus, combining Latin erro meaning "to wander" with the Latin suffix -icus.

erratically (English): In an erratic manner; unsteadily or randomly,...

Definitions

  1. In an erratic manner; unsteadily or randomly,...

Ancestry of “erratically”, 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- →