Where does “farmstead” come from?
Farmstead derives from Middle English fermestead, combining Middle English ferme from Old French ferme and Latin firmus, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European steh₂- meaning to stand or be firm.
farmstead (English): The main building of a farm; A farm, including...
Definitions
- The main building of a farm; A farm, including...
Ancestry of “farmstead”, step by step
farmstead traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English farm
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | farm | A place where agricultural and similar activities... |
| 2 | Middle English | ferme | A lease; the renting of land |
| 3 | Old French | ferme | lease; the land leased; farm |
| 4 | Medieval Latin | ferma | Alternative form of firma |
| 5 | Latin | Firma | tax, tribute |
| 6 | Latin | Firmus | strong, powerful |
| 7 | Proto-Italic | fermos | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰer-mo-s | holding |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰer- | to support; to hold |
via English stead
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | stead | A place, or spot, in general; A place where a... |
| 2 | Middle English | sted | a place, spot, locality; a position or place... |
| 3 | Old English | stede | place |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | stadi | place |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | stadiz | place, location |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | stéh₂tis | standing, position |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | *steh₂- | — |