Where does “merwitch” come from?
merwitch (English) comes from English Witch, from Middle English wicche, from Old English wiċċe, from Proto-Germanic wikkōną, from Proto-Indo-European wik-néh₂-, from Proto-Indo-European weyk-, from Proto-Indo-European wey- — to wither; fade; to move, go ahead; to be strong;...
merwitch (English): A mermaid witch
Definitions
- A mermaid witch
Ancestry of “merwitch”, step by step
merwitch traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English Witch
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Witch | A person (now usually particularly a woman) who uses magical or similar supernatural powers to influence or predict events, particularly one with malicious motives |
| 2 | Middle English | wicche | witch, wizard, sorceror; pagan, heretic,... |
| 3 | Old English | wiċċe | (female) witch |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | wikkōną | to practice sorcery |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | wik-néh₂- | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | weyk- | to separate, to choose; to contain, to envelop;... |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | wey- | to wither; fade; to move, go ahead; to be strong;... |
via English mer
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | mer | A repeat unit: a structural unit which through... |
| 2 | English | polymer | A long or larger molecule consisting of a chain... |
| 3 | English | poly- | many; polymer |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | πολύς | many, a lot of; neuter πολύ or πολλά as... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | πόρος | a means of passage, passageway, way, opening;... |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | πείρω | I pierce, run through; I cleave through |
| 7 | Proto-Hellenic | *péryō | — |