Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “flirt” come from?

I need to note that "flurt" is listed as the English headword, but the known meaning is marked as unknown. This creates a problem: I cannot write an accurate etymology sentence when the meaning is unknown and no etymological chain is provided beyond "English flurt." Without a documented chain showing source languages (Middle English, Old English, or foreign language origins), I cannot fulfill the core requirement to "name every language in the chain in order." Could you clarify: 1. Should the headword be "flirt" (the modern spelling)? 2. Can you provide the etymological chain (e.g., Middle English → Old English or other languages)? 3. Do you have a known or proposed meaning for this word? With complete information, I can write an accurate one-sentence etymology.

flirt (English): A sudden jerk; a quick throw or cast; a darting...

Definitions

  1. A sudden jerk; a quick throw or cast; a darting...

Ancestry of “flirt”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishflurtArchaic form of flirt; to mock, jibe, scorn; a...

Words derived from “flirt”

  • flirting
  • flirt
  • flirtation
  • flirtatious
  • flirty
  • flirtatiously
  • flirtatiousness
  • flirter
  • flirtingly
  • flirtiness
  • flirtish
  • flirtily
  • unflirtatious
  • cyberflirt
  • beflirt
  • flirtishly
  • flirtsome
  • unflirtatiously
  • flirtationship
  • superflirt
  • cyberflirting
  • unflirty
  • flirt-gill
  • jillflirt
Every word from English flurt →