Where does “hamstring” come from?
Hamstring derives from English hamfatter, which combines English ham with English fatter, ultimately tracing to Proto-Germanic haimaz and Proto-Indo-European kōim- meaning "home" or "dwelling."
hamstring (English): One of the great tendons situated in each side of...
Definitions
- One of the great tendons situated in each side of...
Ancestry of “hamstring”, step by step
hamstring traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English Ham
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Ham | OS grid ref SX4657 |
| 2 | Middle English | ham | Alternative form of hem; Alternative form of hom;... |
| 3 | Old English | hām | home; village, community; village, hamlet, manor,... |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | haim | home |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | haimaz | home; house; village |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱóymos | of the home, belonging to the family; village,... |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱey- | to be lying down; to settle |