Where does “opposably” come from?
opposably (English) comes from English ably, from Middle English able, from Old French able, from Latin habilis, from Latin -ilis, from Proto-Italic -elis, from Proto-Indo-European -elis, from Proto-Indo-European -lós — Forms agent nouns from verbal roots.
opposably (English): in an opposable manner
Definitions
- in an opposable manner
Ancestry of “opposably”, step by step
opposably traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English ably
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | ably | In an able manner; with great ability |
| 2 | Middle English | able | capable, expert, qualified, skilful, competent |
| 3 | Old French | able | able; capable |
| 4 | Latin | habilis | able to have/possess/maintain; having sufficient... |
| 5 | Latin | -ilis | -ile |
| 6 | Proto-Italic | -elis | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | -elis | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | -lós | Forms agent nouns from verbal roots |