Where does “machete” come from?
Machete comes from Spanish machete, diminutive of macho, ultimately from Latin masculus meaning male, derived from Proto-Indo-European mereg- meaning to divide or distinguish.
machete (English): A sword-like tool used for cutting large plants...
Definitions
- A sword-like tool used for cutting large plants...
Ancestry of “machete”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | machete | machete; mediocre method for obtaining somewhat... |
| 2 | Spanish | macho | male; strong, brave; sledgehammer |
| 3 | Old Spanish | maslo | male |
| 4 | Vulgar Latin | masclus | Alternative form of masculus; male |
| 5 | Latin | masculus | male, masculine; man, male |
| 6 | Latin | mās | male |
| 7 | Proto-Nuristani | *māsa | moon |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-Iranian | mā́Has | moon; month |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | mḗh₁n̥s | moon; month |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | meh₁- | to measure |