Where does “foothold” come from?
Foothold comes from English hold and English hole, both from Old English hold, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European kel- meaning to conceal or cover.
foothold (English): A solid grip with the feet; A secure position...
Definitions
- A solid grip with the feet; A secure position...
Ancestry of “foothold”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | foot | A biological structure found in many animals that... |
| 2 | Middle English | fot | foot; The bottom, lower part or foundation of... |
| 3 | Old English | fōt | foot |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | fōt | foot |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | fōts | foot |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | pṓds | foot |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | póds | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | ped- | to walk, to step; to stumble, to fall |