Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “precariously” come from?

Precariously derives from English precarious, from Latin precarius meaning dependent on request or favor, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European per- and ḱóm.

precariously (English): In a precarious manner; dangerously

Definitions

  1. In a precarious manner; dangerously

Ancestry of “precariously”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishprecariousDangerously insecure or unstable; perilous;...
2EnglishcariousHaving caries ; decayed, rotten
3Frenchcarieuxcarious
4Frenchcariedecay , cavity; rot; rust
5Latincariēs—
6Latincareō—
7Proto-Italickazēōto lack
8Proto-Indo-Europeanḱes-éh₁-ye-ti—
9Proto-Indo-Europeanḱes-to cut off, separate; to cut up, to slaughter; to...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ḱes- →