Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “intermodal” come from?

Intermodal derives from Latin inter- combined with Latin modus, meaning "measure" or "mode," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European med- meaning "to measure."

intermodal (English): Relating to more than one mode of transport

Definitions

  1. Relating to more than one mode of transport

Ancestry of “intermodal”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishmodalof, or relating to a mode or modus; of, relating...
2Middle Frenchmodal—
3Latinmodalispertaining to a mode
4Latinmodusmeasure; bound, limit; manner , way , method
5Proto-Indo-Europeanmēd-—
6Proto-Indo-Europeanmed-to measure; to give advice; healing

Words derived from “intermodal”

  • intermodalism
  • intermodally
Every word from Proto-Indo-European med- →