Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “practically” come from?

Practically derives from English practical, which comes from Ancient Greek πρακτικός, from πράσσω, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European roots including līg-, ḱóm, and per-.

practically (English): In practice; in effect. Not necessarily...

Definitions

  1. In practice; in effect. Not necessarily...

Ancestry of “practically”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishpracticalA part of an exam or series of exams in which the...
2EnglishpracticA person concerned with action or practice, as...
3Frenchpratiqueapplied; concerning action or intervention of...
4Middle Frenchpractique—
5Latinprāctica—
6Ancient Greekπρακτικήpractice, experience
7Ancient GreekπρακτικόςOf, pertaining to, or appropriate for action; Fit...
8Ancient GreekπράσσωI do, practice
9Proto-Hellenicprā́ťťō—
10Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥h₂-k-yé-ti—
11Proto-Indo-Europeanper-before, in front; first; to go through
12Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥tóspassed , crossed
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós →