Where does “patchwise” come from?

patchwise (English) comes from English wise, from Middle English wys, from Old English wīs, from Proto-Germanic wīsaz, from Proto-Indo-European weydstos, from Proto-Indo-European weyd- — to see.

patchwise (English): in patches; one patch at a time

Definitions

  1. in patches; one patch at a time

Ancestry of “patchwise”, step by step

patchwise traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English wise

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishwiseShowing good judgement or the benefit of...
2Middle Englishwyswise, thoughtful, proper; knowledgeable; alert,...
3Old Englishwīswise
4Proto-Germanicwīsazwise, knowledgeable
5Proto-Indo-Europeanweydstosknowledgeable
6Proto-Indo-Europeanweyd-to see

via English patch

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishpatchA piece of cloth, or other suitable material,...
2Italianpazzocrazy, insane; madman
Every word from Proto-Indo-European weyd- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European weydstos →Every word from Proto-Germanic wīsaz →
patchwise — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer