Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “layman” come from?

Layman comes from Middle English man and Latin laicus, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots relating to thought and speech.

layman (English): Layperson, someone who is not an ordained cleric...

Definitions

  1. Layperson, someone who is not an ordained cleric...

Ancestry of “layman”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlayTo place down in a position of rest, or in a...
2EnglishLee—
3IrishLaoi—
4Middle Irishláed—
5EnglishloidA lock-picking tool made from a piece of...
6EnglishcelluloidAny of a variety of thermoplastics created from...
7English-oidOf similar form to, but not the same as. Having...
8Latin-oides-like, -form
9Greek-οending for "accusative singular" forms ; and some...
10Ancient GreekεἶδοςThat which is seen: form, image, shape;...
11Spanish-scopio-scope
12Latin-scopium—
13Ancient GreekσκοπέωI look, look at, behold; I examine, inspect; 413...
14Ancient Greekσκοπόςwatcher, lookout; protector, guardian; spy, scout

Words derived from “layman”

  • laymanship
  • laymanize
Every word from Ancient Greek σκοπός →