Where does “ninetyfold” come from?

ninetyfold (English) comes from English fold, from Middle English fold, from Old English fald, from Proto-Germanic faludaz — an enclosed space, enclosure.

ninetyfold (English): By a factor of ninety

Definitions

  1. By a factor of ninety

Ancestry of “ninetyfold”, step by step

ninetyfold traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English fold

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishfoldTo bend over so that it comes in contact with...
2Middle EnglishfoldA pen, enclosure, or shelter for domesticated animals
3Old Englishfald
4Proto-Germanicfaludazan enclosed space, enclosure

via English ninety

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishninetyThe cardinal number occurring after eighty-nine...
2Middle Englishnyntyninety
3Old Englishhundniġontiġninety
4Proto-Germanicnewuntēhundąninety
Every word from Proto-Germanic faludazEvery word from Old English faldEvery word from Middle English fold