Where does “overcurrent” come from?
Overcurrent combines Old English ofer- (over) with Latin currere (to run), ultimately deriving from Proto-Indo-European kers- (to run).
overcurrent (English): A larger-than-intended electric current
Definitions
- A larger-than-intended electric current
Ancestry of “overcurrent”, step by step
overcurrent traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English over
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | over | Discontinued; ended or concluded; Thoroughly;... |
| 2 | Middle English | over | riverbank, seashore, brink |
| 3 | Old English | ōfer | riverbank, seashore, brink, edge, margin, border |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | obar | over, above |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | uber | over; over, above |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | upér | above; over |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | upó | under, below |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₃ewp- | — |
via English current
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | current | The generally unidirectional movement of a gas or... |
| 2 | Middle English | curraunt | — |
| 3 | Old French | curant | present participle of corre; alternative form of... |
| 4 | Old French | courre | Alternative form of corre; to run |
| 5 | Latin | currere | second-person singular future passive indicative... |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱers- | to run |