Where does “peak” come from?
peak (English) comes from Middle English pek, from Middle English pike, from Old English pīc, from Proto-Germanic *pīk, from Latin pix, from Proto-Indo-European pik-, from Proto-Indo-European pi- — sap, juice.
peak (English): A point; the sharp end or top of anything that...
Definitions
- A point; the sharp end or top of anything that...
Ancestry of “peak”, step by step
peak traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Middle English pek
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | pek | peak |
| 2 | Middle English | pike | Alternative form of pyke; pike; sharp point, iron... |
| 3 | Old English | pīc | pointed object, pick axe |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | *pīk | — |
| 5 | Latin | pix | pitch, tar |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | pik- | to be angry; pitch; resin |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | pi- | sap, juice |
via English Peacock
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Peacock | A male peafowl, especially Pavo cristatus, notable for its brilliant iridescently ocellated tail |
| 2 | Middle English | pecok | The peacock or its meat |
| 3 | Old English | pāwa | peacock |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | pāwô | peacock, peafowl |
| 5 | Latin | pāvō | peacock, peafowl; a bird associated with Argus and sacred to Hera or Juno; eaten as a delicacy |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | ταώς | peacock; type of fish |