Where does “gaolbird” come from?
gaolbird (English) comes from English gaol, from Middle English gayole, from Old French gaiole, from Medieval Latin gabiola, from Late Latin caveola, from Latin cavea, from Latin cavus, from Proto-Italic kawos — to swell; to be strong.
gaolbird (English): Alternative spelling of jailbird
Definitions
- Alternative spelling of jailbird
Ancestry of “gaolbird”, step by step
gaolbird traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English gaol
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | gaol | Dated spelling of jail |
| 2 | Middle English | gayole | jail, prison place for [[confine |
| 3 | Old French | gaiole | prison; gaol; jail |
| 4 | Medieval Latin | gabiola | — |
| 5 | Late Latin | caveola | — |
| 6 | Latin | cavea | hollow, cavity; cage, den, enclosure, stall,... |
| 7 | Latin | cavus | hollow, concave; excavated, channeled;... |
| 8 | Proto-Italic | kawos | — |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱowh₁ós | hollow |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱewh₁- | to swell; to be strong |