Where does “mid-key” come from?

mid-key (English) comes from English MID, from English mid-range, from English range, from Middle English rengen, from Old French rengier, from Old French reng, from Latin rencus, from Gaulish rekos — to set in order.

mid-key (English): Using or relating to a level of lighting between...

Definitions

  1. Using or relating to a level of lighting between...

Ancestry of “mid-key”, step by step

mid-key traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English MID

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishMIDInitialism of mobile information device
2Englishmid-rangeOf a central or halfway point
3EnglishrangeA line or series of mountains, buildings, etc; A...
4Middle Englishrengen
5Old Frenchrengierto line up; to form ranks
6Old Frenchrengplace; position
7Latinrencusrow; order, rank
8Gaulishrekos
9Proto-Celticreketito arrange
10Proto-Indo-European(H)rek-to set in order

via English key

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishkeyAn object designed to open and close a lock; An...
2EnglishcayA small, low island largely made of sand or coral
3SpanishCayokey island
4Taínocayosmall island
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (H)rek-Every word from Proto-Celtic reketiEvery word from Gaulish rekos
mid-key — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer