Where does “makeshift” come from?
makeshift (English) comes 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-, from Proto-Germanic skaidą — to cut, part, spearate, divide; to cut, part,...
makeshift (English): A temporary substitution; Made to work or...
Definitions
- A temporary substitution; Made to work or...
Ancestry of “makeshift”, step by step
makeshift traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English Shift
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Shift | A modifier key whose main function is shifting... |
| 2 | Middle English | schiften | To split, cut up, sunder; To share out,... |
| 3 | Old English | sċiftan | to divide, separate into shares; appoint, ordain;... |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | skiftijaną | To put in order; organise; arrange |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | skipatjaną | to organise, put in order |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | skēyb- | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | sḱēy- | to shine; to shimmer; shadow; luster, gloss,... |
| 8 | Proto-Germanic | skaidą | separation, distinction |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | skÁit- | to cut, part, spearate, divide; to cut, part,... |
via English make
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | make | To create; To behave, to act; To tend; to... |
| 2 | Middle English | make | Alternative form of maken; easy |
| 3 | Middle English | maken | To make or create; to have something made |
| 4 | Old English | macian | to make |
| 5 | Emilian | mâcia | spot, stain |
| 6 | Latin | Macula | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | smh₁-tleh₂ | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | smeh₁- | smear, rub |