Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “morally” come from?

Morally derives from Middle English -ly added to moral, which comes from Old English -līċ affixed to Latin moralis, itself formed from Latin mōrālis with the suffix -alis, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European roots.

morally (English): In terms of morals or ethics; In keeping of...

Definitions

  1. In terms of morals or ethics; In keeping of...

Ancestry of “morally”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishmoralOf or relating to principles of right and wrong...
2Spanishmoralmoral; morals, standard; morale
3Spanishmoraa mulberry, a mulberry fruit; default; mora
4Vulgar Latinmoradelay, or any duration of time; hindrance
5Latinmōrum—
6Ancient Greekμόρονblack mulberry; blackberry
7Proto-Indo-Europeanmórommulberry, blackberry
Every word from Proto-Indo-European mórom →