Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “pattern” come from?

Pattern comes from Middle English and Old English derivatives of Old French patron, from Latin patronus meaning "protector" and "master," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European peh₂- meaning "to protect."

pattern (English): Model, example; A design, motif or decoration,...

Definitions

  1. Model, example; A design, motif or decoration,...

Ancestry of “pattern”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishpattenAny of various types of footwear with thick...
2Englishpaterne—
3Middle EnglishpatronAlternative form of patroun; patron; example
4Old Frenchpatronmodel; patron, protector
5Latinpatrōnus—
6Latinpaterfather; head of household; parent
7Proto-Italicpatērfather
8Proto-Indo-Europeanph₂tḗrfather
9Proto-Indo-Europeanpeh₂-to protect; to shepherd

Words derived from “pattern”

  • patternmaker
  • patternmaking
  • patternless
  • subpattern
  • beampattern
  • patterner
  • antipattern
  • nanopattern
  • micropattern
  • repattern
  • patternable
  • patternlessness
  • patternlike
  • nonpattern
  • multipattern
  • depattern
  • patternation
  • patternlessly
  • co-pattern
  • patternicity
  • biopattern
  • glycopattern
  • patterns
  • パターン
Every word from Proto-Indo-European peh₂- →