Where does “gangster” come from?
gangster (English) comes from English gang, from Middle English gang, from Old English gang, from Proto-Germanic *gang, from Proto-Germanic gangaz, from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰongʰ-o-s, from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰengʰ- — to walk; to step.
gangster (English): A member of a criminal or street gang; A member...
Definitions
- A member of a criminal or street gang; A member...
Ancestry of “gangster”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | gang | To go; walk; proceed; A number going in company;... |
| 2 | Middle English | gang | going |
| 3 | Old English | gang | going, walking; path; gait |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | *gang | — |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | gangaz | pace, step, gait; walk; way, course |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵʰongʰ-o-s | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵʰengʰ- | to walk; to step |