Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “interlock” come from?

Interlock comes from English lock combined with the Latin prefix inter-, from Latin inter meaning "between," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European welH- meaning "to turn or roll."

interlock (English): To fit or clasp together securely; To interlace;...

Definitions

  1. To fit or clasp together securely; To interlace;...

Ancestry of “interlock”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishLock—
2Middle Englishloklock
3Old Englishlācplay, sport, strife, battle, sacrifice, offering,...
4Proto-West Germaniclaik—
5Proto-Germaniclaikazdance; game, sport; hymn
6Proto-Indo-Europeanleyǵ-to bind, tie

Words derived from “interlock”

  • interlocking
  • noninterlocking
  • interlockable
  • microinterlocking
Every word from Proto-Indo-European leyǵ- →