Where does “paraphernalia” come from?
Paraphernalia derives from Ancient Greek παράφερνα, composed of παρά and a root from Proto-Indo-European preh₂- and per-, ultimately connected to Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós meaning "produced" or "brought forth."
paraphernalia (English): Miscellaneous items, especially the set of...
Definitions
- Miscellaneous items, especially the set of...
Ancestry of “paraphernalia”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Medieval Latin | parapherna | — |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | παράφερνα | goods which a wife brings over and above her... |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | φερνή | dowry |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | φέρω | I bring, bear, carry |
| 5 | Proto-Hellenic | pʰérō | to bear |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰéreti | to be carrying |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰēr- | shiny, light brown |