Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “getting” come from?

Getting derives from the English verb get, which comes from the English noun git, which traces to the English noun geat, which originates from Proto-Germanic getaną, ultimately derived from Latin gagates and Ancient Greek Γαγάτης, from Ancient Greek Γάγας.

getting (English): present participle of get; The act of obtaining...

Definitions

  1. present participle of get; The act of obtaining...

Ancestry of “getting”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishgetTo obtain; to acquire; To receive; To have. See...
2EnglishgitA silly, incompetent, stupid, annoying, or...
3Middle Englishgetjet, hardened coal; A bead made of jet; A...
4Old Frenchjayet—
5Latingagātēs—
6Ancient Greekγαγάτης—
Every word from Ancient Greek γαγάτης →