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
- 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 | — |