Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “gearhead” come from?

gearhead (English) comes from English gear, from Middle English gere, from Old Norse gervi, from Proto-Germanic garwijaną, from Proto-Germanic garwaz, from Proto-Germanic ga-, from Proto-Indo-European ḱóm, from Proto-Indo-European ḱe — to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

gearhead (English): A mechanical device used to increase the torque...

Definitions

  1. A mechanical device used to increase the torque...

Ancestry of “gearhead”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishgearEquipment or paraphernalia, especially that used...
2Middle EnglishgereAlternative form of gery; Alternative form of...
3Old Norsegervigear
4Proto-Germanicgarwijanąto prepare
5Proto-Germanicgarwazready, prepared
6Proto-Germanicga-Indicates association or togetherness; co-;...
7Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
8Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
9Middle Englishkyt—
10Germankitt—
11Old High Germankuti—
12Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
13Proto-Germanickweduzresin
14Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
15Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...
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