Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “healthcare” come from?

Healthcare derives from Middle English care and Old English hǣlþ, which traces through Proto-Germanic haliþaz to Proto-Indo-European ǵeh₂r-, meaning to grasp or hold.

healthcare (English): Alternative spelling of health care

Definitions

  1. Alternative spelling of health care

Ancestry of “healthcare”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcareGrief, sorrow; Close attention; concern;...
2Middle Englishcaregrief; sorrow
3Old Englishcaruworry, anxiety, care; sorrow, grief
4Proto-West Germanickarucare, worry
5Proto-Germanickarōcomplaint, lament, grievance, moan; worry,...
6Proto-Indo-Europeanǵeh₂r-to shout, cry; exclamation; voice; to call, cry

Words derived from “healthcare”

  • telehealthcare
  • nonhealthcare
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵeh₂r- →