Where does “midrib” come from?

Midrib comes from Middle English midribbe, combining mid- and rib, with rib descending from Old English ribb, Proto-West Germanic ribi, Proto-Germanic ribjō, and Proto-Indo-European h₁rebʰ-.

midrib (English): The strengthened vein down the middle of a flower...

Definitions

  1. The strengthened vein down the middle of a flower...

Ancestry of “midrib”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishRIBRigid inflatable boat — A lightweight inflatable...
2Middle Englishrib—
3Old Englishribbrib
4Proto-West Germanicribb—
5Proto-Germanicribjąrib; reef, ridge
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₁rebʰ-to cover, to roof; rib

Words derived from “midrib”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₁rebʰ- →
midrib — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer