Where does “frown” come from?
Frown comes from Middle English frounen, from Gaulish frognā, from Proto-Celtic srognā, from Proto-Indo-European sregʰ-, a root of uncertain meaning.
frown (English): A facial expression in which the eyebrows are...
Definitions
- A facial expression in which the eyebrows are...
Ancestry of “frown”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | frown | — |
| 2 | Middle English | frounen | to frown as an expression of disapproval,... |
| 3 | Old French | frognier | to frown or scowl |
| 4 | Gaulish | frognā | nostril |
| 5 | Proto-Celtic | srognā | nose |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | sregʰ- | snore; to snore |
Words derived from “frown”