Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “postmaster” come from?

Postmaster derives from English post and English master, compounds denoting an official in charge of a postal station or mail delivery system.

postmaster (English): The head of a post office; The administrator of...

Definitions

  1. The head of a post office; The administrator of...

Ancestry of “postmaster”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishpostA long dowel or plank protruding from the ground;...
2Middle Frenchposte—
3Italianpostamail, post; post office; stakes
4Latinprobāre—
5Latinprobō—
6LatinProbus—
7Proto-Indo-Europeanpro-bhwo-being in front, prominent
8Proto-Indo-Europeanpro-toward, forward
9Proto-Indo-Europeanpor-to give birth; forward, through; going, passage
10Proto-Indo-Europeanper-before, in front; first; to go through
11Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥tóspassed , crossed

Words derived from “postmaster”

  • postmastership
  • subpostmaster
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós →