Where does “outspoken” come from?
Outspoken derives from English speak with the Old English prefix ūt-, from Proto-Germanic ūt and Old English sprecan, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European spreg- and (s)per-, meaning to spread or scatter.
outspoken (English): Speaking, or spoken, freely, openly, or boldly;...
Definitions
- Speaking, or spoken, freely, openly, or boldly;...
Ancestry of “outspoken”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | outspeak | To surpass in speaking; say or express more than;... |
| 2 | English | speak | To communicate with one's voice, to say words out... |
| 3 | Middle English | speke | — |
| 4 | Old English | specan | Alternative form of sprecan; to speak |
| 5 | Old English | sprecan | to speak, talk |
| 6 | Proto-West Germanic | *sprekan | — |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | sprekaną | to speak, to make a noise |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | spreg- | to make a sound, speak; to make a sound, utter,... |
Words derived from “outspoken”