Where does “halberdsman” come from?
halberdsman (English) comes from English halberd, from Middle French hallebarde, from Italian alabarda, from Middle High German helmbarte, from Middle High German helm, from Old High German helm, from Proto-West Germanic helm, from Proto-Germanic helmaz — to pierce, strike; to stick; prick; stab.
Ancestry of “halberdsman”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | halberd | A hand weapon consisting of a long pole fitted... |
| 2 | Middle French | hallebarde | — |
| 3 | Italian | alabarda | halberd |
| 4 | Middle High German | helmbarte | A broad-axe with a handle |
| 5 | Middle High German | helm | stalk |
| 6 | Old High German | helm | helmet |
| 7 | Proto-West Germanic | helm | helmet |
| 8 | Proto-Germanic | helmaz | helmet |
| 9 | Proto-Germanic | halmaz | halm; stem; stalk; straw; hay |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱolh₂mos | stalk |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱelh₂- | to pierce, strike; to stick; prick; stab |