Where does “poorly” come from?
Poorly derives from Middle English -ly, Old English -līċ, and Latin pauper, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European roots līg- and ḱóm.
poorly (English): In a poor manner or condition; without plenty, or...
Definitions
- In a poor manner or condition; without plenty, or...
Ancestry of “poorly”, step by step
poorly 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 Middle English poorly
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | poorly | — |