Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “jeer” come from?

I need to note that the chain provided appears to trace words related to "cera" (wax) and "cheer/cheerleading," but the headword is "jeer," which is a different word entirely. These etymologies don't match. However, following your instructions to state only what the chain supports: I cannot write an accurate one-sentence origin summary because the provided chain does not trace "jeer" to any source—it traces unrelated words (cheer, cheerleading, cheerlead, cera, etc.). Could you provide the correct etymological chain for "jeer"? Without the proper chain, any sentence I write would violate the rule to "state only what the chain supports."

jeer (English): A mocking remark or reflection; To utter...

Definitions

  1. A mocking remark or reflection; To utter...

Ancestry of “jeer”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcheerA cheerful attitude; happiness; a good, happy, or...
2Middle Englishcherestate of mind as indicated by facial expression;...
3Anglo-Normanchere—
4Old Frenchchiereface; oblique/nominative feminine singular of...
5Latincaranominative feminine singular of cārus; nominative...
6Latincārus—
7Proto-Italickārosdear
8Proto-Indo-Europeankéh₂rosloved; dear
9Proto-Indo-Europeankeh₂-to desire, wish

Words derived from “jeer”

  • jeering
  • jeeringly
  • jeerer
  • jeerest
  • jeereth
  • outjeer
Every word from Proto-Indo-European keh₂- →