Where does “figuratively” come from?
Figuratively derives from Middle French figuratif, Old English -līċ, Proto-Germanic -līkaz, Proto-Germanic galīkaz, and Proto-Indo-European roots līg- and ḱóm, ultimately expressing the sense of resemblance or likeness.
figuratively (English): In a figurative manner; Used to indicate that...
Definitions
- In a figurative manner; Used to indicate that...
Ancestry of “figuratively”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | -ly | Used to form adjectives from nouns, the... |
| 2 | English | grisly | Horrifyingly repellent; gruesome, terrifying;... |
| 3 | Middle English | grisely | — |
| 4 | Old English | grisliċ | grisly, horrible; dreadful, horrid |
| 5 | Old English | -līċ | suffix forming {{glossary|adjective}}s meaning... |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | *-līk | — |