Where does “keysigning” come from?

keysigning (English) comes from English signing, from English sign, from Middle English signe, from Old English seġn, from Latin signum, from Proto-Italic seknom, from Proto-Indo-European sek- — to cut, cut off, sever.

keysigning (English): The process of digitally signing someone else's public key using one's own

Definitions

  1. The process of digitally signing someone else's public key using one's own

Ancestry of “keysigning”, step by step

keysigning traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English signing

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsigningThe act of concluding a contract, especially by...
2EnglishsignA visible indication; Physical evidence left by...
3Middle Englishsigne
4Old Englishseġnsign; mark; token
5Latinsignumvisible indication: sign, mark, signal; seal,...
6Proto-Italicseknomsign
7Proto-Indo-Europeansek-to cut, cut off, sever

via English key

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishkeyAn object designed to open and close a lock; An...
2EnglishcayA small, low island largely made of sand or coral
3SpanishCayokey island
4Taínocayosmall island
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sek-Every word from Proto-Italic seknomEvery word from Latin signum