Where does “meshwork” come from?
Meshwork derives from Middle English messh-werk, combining mesh (from Old English *mæsc-, of uncertain origin) with werk (Old English wyrċan, from Proto-Germanic wurkijaną and Proto-Indo-European werǵ-, meaning "to do or make").
meshwork (English): A net; an assembly of meshes
Definitions
- A net; an assembly of meshes
Ancestry of “meshwork”, step by step
meshwork traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English work
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | work | "Employment."; "Effort."; Sustained effort to... |
| 2 | Middle English | werk | work |
| 3 | Old English | weorc | work, in various senses, including |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | werk | work |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | werką | work |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | wérǵom | work |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | werǵ- | to make |
via English mesh
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | mesh | A structure made of connected strands of metal,... |
| 2 | Middle English | mesche | — |
| 3 | Old English | māsc | mash; mixture, mash |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | *maskā | mesh, net |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | maskwǭ | loop, knot; mesh, netting; mesh used as a filter,... |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | mozgo- | netting, mesh, knot, loop |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | mezgʷ- | to knit, tie, make a loop; to knit, tie; to knit,... |