Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “interoperable” come from?

Interoperable derives from English interoperate, from Latin inter- (between) combined with operābilis (capable of working), from opus (work) and the Proto-Indo-European roots wel- (to turn) and h₃ep- (to seize or take hold).

interoperable (English): Able to communicate, and exchange data with...

Definitions

  1. Able to communicate, and exchange data with...

Ancestry of “interoperable”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishinteroperateTo work reliably with another system
2EnglishoperateTo perform a work or labour; to exert power or...
3Latinoperātus—
4LatinoperorI work, labor
5Latinoperawork, exertion, effort; service; care, attention...
6LatinOpus—
7Ancient GreekὈποῦς—
8Ancient Greekὀπόςjuice, vegetable/plant juice; fig-juice
9Proto-Indo-Europeansokʷósjuice of plants
10Proto-Indo-Europeansekʷ-to follow; to see; to say

Words derived from “interoperable”

  • interoperability
  • noninteroperable
  • interoperably
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sekʷ- →