Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “loadstone” come from?

Loadstone comes from Middle English lode combined with Old English stān (stone), derived from Proto-Germanic stainaz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European steh₂- (to stand).

loadstone (English): Alternative form of lodestone

Definitions

  1. Alternative form of lodestone

Ancestry of “loadstone”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlodestoneA naturally occurring magnet; The mineral...
2Middle Englishlodeguide
3Old Englishlādcourse, journey; way, street, waterway; leading,...
4Proto-West Germanic*laidu—
5Proto-Germaniclaidōa leading; a way, course, route, direction
6Proto-Indo-Europeanleyt-to scratch; to leave, die; to go, go forth, die
7Proto-Indo-Europeanlēy-to leave, let; to want, desire; to let; leave...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European lēy- →