Where does “poorhouse” come from?
Poorhouse derives from Middle English povre and -en, from Latin pauper meaning "poor," traced to Proto-Indo-European roots éǵh₂ and en.
poorhouse (English): A charitable institution where poor or homeless...
Definitions
- A charitable institution where poor or homeless...
Ancestry of “poorhouse”, step by step
poorhouse traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English poor
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | poor | With no or few possessions or money, particularly... |
| 2 | Middle English | povre | poor, needy; poor by choice; Afflicted by need... |
| 3 | Old French | povre | poor |
| 4 | Latin | pauper | poor |
| 5 | Latin | pavo-pars | getting little |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | pau- | smallness |
via English House
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | House | A particular chamber of political representation |
| 2 | Middle English | hous | house, residence; house of worship, temple;... |
| 3 | Old English | hūs | dwelling, shelter, house; house |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | hūs | house |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | hūsą | house |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)kewH- | to cover, bedeck; cover |