Where does “formidable” come from?
Formidable comes from Middle French formidable, from Latin formidabilis, derived from Latin formidare, ultimately traced to Proto-Indo-European dʰer-.
formidable (English): Causing fear, dread, awe, or discouragement as a...
Definitions
- Causing fear, dread, awe, or discouragement as a...
Ancestry of “formidable”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle French | formidable | — |
| 2 | Latin | formidabilis | Causing or inspiring fear, terrible, frightening,... |
| 3 | Latin | formido | I dread or fear; I am afraid of or for; fear,... |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰer- | to support; to hold |