Where does “force” come from?
force (English) comes from Middle English force, from Old French force, from Latin fortia, from Latin fortis, from Old Latin forctis, from Proto-Italic forktis, from Proto-Indo-European bʰerǵʰ- — to rise; high, lofty; hill, mountain.
force (English): Strength or energy of body or mind; active power;...
Definitions
- Strength or energy of body or mind; active power;...
Ancestry of “force”, step by step
force traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.
via Middle English force
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | force | — |
| 2 | Old French | force | strength; might |
| 3 | Latin | fortia | nominative neuter plural of fortis; accusative... |
| 4 | Latin | fortis | strong, powerful; firm, resolute, steadfast,... |
| 5 | Old Latin | forctis | strong |
| 6 | Proto-Italic | forktis | strong, robust |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰerǵʰ- | to rise; high, lofty; hill, mountain |
via Middle English forse
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | forse | Alternative form of firse |
via Middle English fors
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | fors | — |