Where does “machinegun” come from?
Machinegun derives from English machine and English gun, with machine tracing to Ancient Greek μηχανή, itself from Proto-Indo-European megʰ- meaning to be able or capable.
machinegun (English): Alternative spelling of machine gun; Alternative...
Definitions
- Alternative spelling of machine gun; Alternative...
Ancestry of “machinegun”, step by step
machinegun traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English gun
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | gun | A device for projecting a hard object very... |
| 2 | Middle English | gunne | A trebuchet or similar kind of pellet-firing... |
| 3 | Old Norse | Gunnhildr | — |
| 4 | Old Norse | Gunnr | battle, war |
| 5 | Old Norse | guðr | battle, war |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | gunþiz | battle |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | gʷʰéntis | striking, killing |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | gʷʰen- | to strike, slay, kill |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰon- | — |
via English machine
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | machine | A device that directs and controls energy, often... |
| 2 | Middle French | machine | machine; device |
| 3 | Latin | māchina | contrivance |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | μαχανά | Doric form of μηχᾰνή |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | μηχανή | contrivance, machine, device, gear; way, means |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | μῆχος | means, expedient, remedy |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | meǵʰ- | to be able |