Where does “headcode” come from?

headcode (English) comes from English head, from English -y, from Middle English -y, from Old English -iġ, from Proto-West Germanic -g, from Proto-Germanic -gaz, from Proto-Indo-European -ḱos — -y, -ic.

headcode (English): A code used to distinguish classes of train for the benefit of signalmen, formerly by using white oil lamps (or white discs) placed on brackets on the front of the locomotive. The various lamp positions defined the class of train

Definitions

  1. A code used to distinguish classes of train for the benefit of signalmen, formerly by using white oil lamps (or white discs) placed on brackets on the front of the locomotive. The various lamp positions defined the class of train

Ancestry of “headcode”, step by step

headcode traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English head

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishheadThe part of the body of an animal or human which...
2English-yAdded to nouns and adjectives to form adjectives...
3Middle English-yDesignates an adjective, in many cases formed by...
4Old English-iġ-y, -ic
5Proto-West Germanic-gForms adjectives from nouns and verbs with a...
6Proto-Germanic-gaz-y
7Proto-Indo-European-ḱos-y, -ic

via English code

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcodeA short symbol, often with little relation to the...
2Middle EnglishcodeAny kind of plant gum; a gummy or resinous...
3Old Englishcoddbag; sack; husk
4Proto-Germanickuddôbag; pod; sack; purse
5Proto-Indo-Europeangewt-sack; pouch; pouch, sack
6Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European -ḱosEvery word from English -yEvery word from Old English -iġ