Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “force” come from?

I can't write this summary because the etymology chain provided is circular (English force/farce alternating repeatedly) rather than tracing back to an origin language, and the "known meaning" is listed as unknown. A proper etymology requires actual source languages and documented meanings to accurately represent. Could you provide the actual etymology chain showing the progression through real source languages (such as Old French, Latin, etc.)?

force (English): Strength or energy of body or mind; active power;...

Definitions

  1. Strength or energy of body or mind; active power;...

Ancestry of “force”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishforce—
2Old Frenchforcestrength; might
3Latinfortianominative neuter plural of fortis; accusative...
4Latinfortisstrong, powerful; firm, resolute, steadfast,...
5Old Latinforctisstrong
6Proto-Italicforktisstrong, robust
7Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰerǵʰ-to rise; high, lofty; hill, mountain

Words derived from “force”

  • forcing
  • workforce
  • forceful
  • forcefully
  • counterforce
  • forcefulness
  • salesforce
  • forcemeat
  • downforce
  • forcer
  • forcement
  • forceless
  • forceth
  • forceable
  • forcest
  • nonforceful
  • unforceful
  • superforce
  • microforce
  • strikeforce
  • forceout
  • forcite
  • interforce
  • forcely
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰerǵʰ- →