Where does “jailbird” come from?
jailbird (English) comes from English jail, from Middle English gayole, from Old French gaiole, from Medieval Latin gabiola, from Late Latin caveola, from Latin cavea, from Latin cavus, from Proto-Italic kawos — to swell; to be strong.
jailbird (English): A prisoner or an ex-prisoner
Definitions
- A prisoner or an ex-prisoner
Ancestry of “jailbird”, step by step
jailbird traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English jail
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | jail | A place or institution for the confinement of... |
| 2 | Middle English | gayole | jail, prison place for [[confine |
| 3 | Old French | gaiole | prison; gaol; jail |
| 4 | Medieval Latin | gabiola | — |
| 5 | Late Latin | caveola | — |
| 6 | Latin | cavea | hollow, cavity; cage, den, enclosure, stall,... |
| 7 | Latin | cavus | hollow, concave; excavated, channeled;... |
| 8 | Proto-Italic | kawos | — |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱowh₁ós | hollow |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱewh₁- | to swell; to be strong |