Where does “leftist” come from?
Leftist derives from English left, Latin -ista, Ancient Greek -ιστής, Ancient Greek -ίζω, Proto-Indo-European -idyé-, Proto-Indo-European lewp-, Proto-Indo-European -yéti, and Proto-Indo-European lip-.
leftist (English): A person who holds views associated with the...
Definitions
- A person who holds views associated with the...
Ancestry of “leftist”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | left | The opposite of right; toward the west when one... |
| 2 | Middle English | left | — |
| 3 | Middle English | laft | past participle of leave |
| 4 | Old English | læfd | — |
| 5 | Old English | lǣfan | to leave |
| 6 | Frankish | laibijan | to leave; to leave behind |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | laibijaną | to leave behind, to leave remaining |
| 8 | Proto-Germanic | lībaną | to remain, to be left |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | leyp- | to stick; fat or sticky substance |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | lēy- | to leave, let; to want, desire; to let; leave... |