Where does “nonpregnant” come from?
Nonpregnant is a Modern English formation combining the prefix non- with pregnant, which derives from Latin praegnans, itself built from prae- (before) and gnascī (to be born), ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European roots meaning to produce or come into being.
nonpregnant (English): Not pregnant
Definitions
- Not pregnant
Ancestry of “nonpregnant”, step by step
nonpregnant traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English pregnant
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | pregnant | Carrying developing offspring within the body;... |
| 2 | Middle English | preignant | — |
| 3 | Old French | preignant | — |
| 4 | Latin | praegnans | Alternative form of praegnās; pregnant |
| 5 | Latin | prae- | before; in front; in charge |
| 6 | Proto-Italic | prai- | pre-, before |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | preh₂- | before, in front |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |