Where does “outcry” come from?

Outcry comes from Middle English outcry, a compound of out and cry meaning a loud cry or shout of protest.

outcry (English): A loud cry or uproar; A strong protest; An...

Definitions

  1. A loud cry or uproar; A strong protest; An...

Ancestry of “outcry”, step by step

outcry traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.

via English cry

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcryTo shed tears; to weep; To utter loudly; to call...
2Middle Englishcriento shout; to cry out
3Old Frenchcrierto cry out; to shout
4Vulgar Latincritare
5LatinquiritoI call upon for help; I scream, shriek; I protest...
6Proto-Indo-Europeanḱwey-to hiss, to whistle, to whisper; to shine, white,...

via English out

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishoutAway from the inside, centre or other point of...
2Middle Englishouteout
3Old Englishūtout
4Proto-West Germanic*ūtout, outward
5Proto-Germanicūtout, outward
6Proto-Indo-Europeanúdout, outward

via Middle English outcry

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishoutcry

Words derived from “outcry

Every word from Proto-Indo-European ḱwey-
outcry — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer