Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “intently” come from?

Intently comes from Middle English -ly suffixed to intent, which derives from Old English -līċ, Proto-Germanic -līkaz, and ultimately Proto-Indo-European roots meaning "body" or "form" combined with "together."

intently (English): In an intent or focused manner

Definitions

  1. In an intent or focused manner

Ancestry of “intently”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishintentA purpose; something that is intended; The state...
2Old Frenchentent—
3Latinintentusmindful, attentive; intent on; serious, earnest
4LatinintendoI stretch out; I strain; I turn my attention to,...
5Latinin-un-, non-, not; in, within, inside
6Latininin, at, on, upon, from; within, while in; into,...
7Old Latinenin
8Proto-Italicenin
9Proto-Indo-Europeanh₁énin
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₁én →