Where does “numbskullery” come from?
numbskullery (English) comes from English numbskull, from English numb, from English nim, from Middle English nimen, from Old English niman, from Proto-West Germanic neman, from Proto-Germanic nemaną, from Proto-Indo-European nem- — to distribute; to give, to take.
numbskullery (English): The behaviour of a numbskull; foolishness;...
Definitions
- The behaviour of a numbskull; foolishness;...
Ancestry of “numbskullery”, step by step
numbskullery traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English numbskull
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | numbskull | Alternative spelling of numskull |
| 2 | English | numb | Physically unable to feel, not having the power... |
| 3 | English | nim | To take or seize; To filch, steal; To walk with... |
| 4 | Middle English | nimen | to take |
| 5 | Old English | niman | to take, seize |
| 6 | Proto-West Germanic | neman | to take |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | nemaną | to take |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | nem- | to distribute; to give, to take |
via English ery
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | ery | — |