Where does “make shift” come from?
make shift (English) comes from English makeshift, from English Shift, from Middle English schiften, from Old English sċiftan, from Proto-Germanic skiftijaną, from Proto-Germanic skipatjaną, from Proto-Indo-European skēyb-, from Proto-Indo-European sḱēy- — to cut, part, spearate, divide; to cut, part,...
make shift (English): To contrive; to invent a way of surmounting a...
Definitions
- To contrive; to invent a way of surmounting a...
Ancestry of “make shift”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | makeshift | A temporary substitution; Made to work or... |
| 2 | English | Shift | A modifier key whose main function is shifting... |
| 3 | Middle English | schiften | To split, cut up, sunder; To share out,... |
| 4 | Old English | sċiftan | to divide, separate into shares; appoint, ordain;... |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | skiftijaną | To put in order; organise; arrange |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | skipatjaną | to organise, put in order |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | skēyb- | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | sḱēy- | to shine; to shimmer; shadow; luster, gloss,... |
| 9 | Proto-Germanic | skaidą | separation, distinction |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | skÁit- | to cut, part, spearate, divide; to cut, part,... |