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

  1. Miscellaneous items, especially the set of...

Ancestry of “paraphernalia”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Medieval Latinparapherna—
2Ancient Greekπαράφερναgoods which a wife brings over and above her...
3Ancient Greekφερνήdowry
4Ancient GreekφέρωI bring, bear, carry
5Proto-Hellenicpʰérōto bear
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰéretito be carrying
7Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰēr-shiny, light brown

Words derived from “paraphernalia”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰēr- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰéreti →Every word from Proto-Hellenic pʰérō →