Where does “inkstand” come from?
I need to work through this chain carefully, as there appear to be some inconsistencies in what's provided.
The chain shows:
- English stand
- Middle English standen
- Old French enque
- Latin encaustum
- Proto-Indo-European steh₂-
- (repeated) Proto-Indo-European steh₂-
- Ancient Greek καίω
- (repeated) Ancient Greek καίω
However, the headword is "inkstand" and I'm told the known meaning is unknown. This chain seems problematic - it traces "stand" but doesn't clearly show how "ink" combines with it, and the chain jumps between Latin "encaustum" (meaning ink, from "to burn in") and PIE roots that relate to "stand."
For "inkstand" as a compound, the proper etymology would need to show both components. "Ink" comes from Latin
inkstand (English): A small tray containing pens and an inkwell; "by...
Definitions
- A small tray containing pens and an inkwell; "by...
Ancestry of “inkstand”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | stand | "To position or be positioned physically."; "To... |
| 2 | English | op | An operation; An amateur radio operator; An... |
| 3 | English | op shop | A shop, usually operated by a charity, to which... |
| 4 | English | opportunity | A chance for advancement, progress or profit; A... |
| 5 | English | opportune | Suitable for some particular purpose; At a... |
| 6 | Middle French | opportunité | — |
| 7 | Latin | opportūnitās | — |
| 8 | Latin | opportūnus | — |
| 9 | Latin | Portus | — |
| 10 | Proto-Italic | portus | harbour |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | pértus | crossing |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 13 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |