Where does “incontinently” come from?

Incontinently derives from Middle English, formed from the adverb suffix -ly added to incontinens, a Latin adjective meaning unable to restrain oneself.

incontinently (English): In an incontinent manner; without restraint, or...

Definitions

  1. In an incontinent manner; without restraint, or...

Ancestry of “incontinently”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishincontinentUnable to contain or retain; Plagued by...
2Old Frenchincontinent
3Latinincontinensnot containing, not retaining
4Latincontinēnslimiting, enclosing
5LatincontineoI hold or keep together/close, surround, contain;...
6Latincōn-Used in compounds to indicate a being or bringing together of several objects
7Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
8Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
9Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
10Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
11Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
12Middle Englishkyt
13Germankittputty certain kinds of cement used for fixing e.g. window panes
14Old High Germankuti
15Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
16Proto-Germanickweduzresin
17Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
18Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū-Every word from Latin cōn-Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʷet-