Where does “inopportune” come from?
Inopportune derives from Middle English in- prefixed to opportune, ultimately from Latin in- (not) and per- (forward), combined through Proto-Indo-European roots meaning negation and movement.
inopportune (English): unsuitable for some particular purpose; at an...
Definitions
- unsuitable for some particular purpose; at an...
Ancestry of “inopportune”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | inopportunus | unfitting, unsuitable; inopportune |
| 2 | Latin | opportūnus | suitable |
| 3 | Latin | Portus | ” or, later, “Portus Rōmae”}} Portus large artificial harbour of Ancient Rome |
| 4 | Proto-Italic | portus | harbour |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | pértus | crossing |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |