Where does “foolishly” come from?
Foolishly derives from Middle English -ly affixed to fool, which comes from Old English follis via Proto-Germanic -līkaz meaning "like," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰelǵʰ- meaning "to swell."
foolishly (English): In a foolish manner; Without good judgment
Definitions
- In a foolish manner; Without good judgment
Ancestry of “foolishly”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | foolish | Lacking good sense or judgement; unwise;... |
| 2 | Middle English | folisch | Foolish, erroneous, ridiculous; Sinful,... |
| 3 | Middle English | fol | Alternative form of fole |
| 4 | Old French | fol | mad; insane; foolish; silly |
| 5 | Latin | follis | bellows; purse, sack, money bag; a small value... |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰelǵʰ- | to swell |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰel- | to sound; to speak, roar, bark; shiny, white; to... |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰōl- | — |