Where does “frolicsome” come from?
Frolicsome combines English frolic with English some, ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European sem- meaning one or together.
frolicsome (English): Characterised or marked by frolicking; playful
Definitions
- Characterised or marked by frolicking; playful
Ancestry of “frolicsome”, step by step
frolicsome traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English frolic
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | frolic | Merry, joyous, full of mirth; later especially,... |
| 2 | Dutch | vrolijk | cheerful, merry |
| 3 | Middle Dutch | vrolijc | — |
| 4 | Old Dutch | frōlīk | — |
| 5 | Old Dutch | frō | lord |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | frawaz | happy; energetic |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | prew- | to jump |
via English some
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | some | A certain number, at least two; An indefinite... |
| 2 | Middle English | som | some |
| 3 | Old English | sum | some |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | *sum | some |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | sumaz | some (one), a certain (one) |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | sem- | together, one |
Words derived from “frolicsome”