Where does “keyway” come from?

keyway (English) comes from English Way, from Middle English way, from Old English weġ, from Proto-West Germanic weg, from Proto-Germanic wēgaz, from Proto-Indo-European weǵʰ- — to bring; to transport.

keyway (English): A slot into which a precision attachment is...

Definitions

  1. A slot into which a precision attachment is...

Ancestry of “keyway”, step by step

keyway traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English Way

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishWayChristianity
2Middle Englishway—
3Old Englishweġway; path; way, road, path
4Proto-West Germanicwegway, road
5Proto-Germanicwēgazwave; sea
6Proto-Indo-Europeanweǵʰ-to bring; to transport

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 weǵʰ- →