Where does “postbox” come from?
postbox (English) comes from Swedish post, from German posten, from English post, from Middle French poste, from Italian posta, from Italian posto, from Latin positus, from Latin pōnō.
postbox (English): Alternative spelling of post box
Definitions
- Alternative spelling of post box
Ancestry of “postbox”, step by step
postbox traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Swedish post
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swedish | post | postal office; an organization delivering mail... |
| 2 | German | posten | to post; inflection of posen: ##... |
| 3 | English | post | A long dowel or plank protruding from the ground;... |
| 4 | Middle French | poste | — |
| 5 | Italian | posta | mail, post; post office; stakes |
| 6 | Italian | posto | place, spot |
| 7 | Latin | positus | placed; ordained |
| 8 | Latin | pōnō | to place; to put; to lay |
| 9 | Proto-Italic | poznō | — |
| 10 | Proto-Italic | pozinō | — |
| 11 | Proto-Italic | sinō | — |
via Swedish box
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swedish | box | box, crate; a cuboid container |