Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “indifferently” come from?

Indifferently derives from Middle English -ly added to Latin indifferens, formed from Latin in- and differens, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰer- meaning to carry or bear.

indifferently (English): In an indifferent manner

Definitions

  1. In an indifferent manner

Ancestry of “indifferently”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishindifferentNot caring or concerned; uninterested, apathetic;...
2Old Frenchindifferent—
3Latinindifferensindifferent; neither good nor bad; unconcerned
4Latindifferēns—
5Latindifferrepresent active infinitive of differō
6LatindifferoI carry different ways, spread, scatter,...
7Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
8Latincalceusshoe
9Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
10Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →