Where does “inessential” come from?
Inessential derives from English in- plus essential, which comes from Middle English essenciall, from Latin essentiālis, formed from Latin esse meaning to be, from Proto-Indo-European h₁ésmi.
inessential (English): Not essential; Lacking essence or being;...
Definitions
- Not essential; Lacking essence or being;...
Ancestry of “inessential”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | essential | Necessary; Very important; of high importance;... |
| 2 | Latin | essentialis | essential; genitive singular of essentiāle |
| 3 | French | essentiel | essential; essential; essence, essential part |
| 4 | Late Latin | essentialis | essential; genitive singular of essentiāle |
| 5 | Latin | essentia | essence, being |
| 6 | Latin | esse | present infinitive of sum; state, condition;... |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | οὐσία | that which is one's own, one's substance,... |
| 8 | Ancient Greek | εἰμί | To be, exist; live; To be; it is possible |
| 9 | Proto-Hellenic | ehmi | to be |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | h₁ésmi | first-person singular present indicative of... |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | h₁ēs- | to be |