Where does “handstand” come from?

handstand (English) comes from English stand, from English op, from English op shop, from English opportunity, from English opportune, from Middle French opportunité, from Latin opportūnitās, from Latin opportūnus — passed , crossed.

handstand (English): A movement or position in which a person is...

Definitions

  1. A movement or position in which a person is...

Ancestry of “handstand”, step by step

handstand traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English stand

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishstand"To position or be positioned physically."; "To...
2EnglishopAn operation; An amateur radio operator; An...
3Englishop shopA shop, usually operated by a charity, to which...
4EnglishopportunityA chance for advancement, progress or profit; A...
5EnglishopportuneSuitable for some particular purpose; At a...
6Middle Frenchopportunité
7Latinopportūnitāsconvenience, fitness
8Latinopportūnussuitable
9LatinPortus” or, later, “Portus Rōmae”}} Portus large artificial harbour of Ancient Rome
10Proto-Italicportusharbour
11Proto-Indo-Europeanpértuscrossing
12Proto-Indo-Europeanper-before, in front; first; to go through
13Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥tóspassed , crossed

via English Hand

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishHandThe part of the forelimb below the forearm or wrist in a human, and the corresponding part in many other animals
2Middle Englishhondhand; Alternative form of hound
3Old EnglishhandA hand
4Proto-West Germanichanduhand
5SwedishhandA hand; A hand; the set of cards held by a player
6Old SwedishhandA hand; A direction; A behalf
7Old Norsehǫndhand
8Proto-Germanichanduzhand
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós