Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “principally” come from?

Principally comes from Middle English principalliche, from Latin principalis meaning "of first importance," derived from Latin capio meaning "to take," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European keh₂p-.

principally (English): In a primary manner; pertaining to the principal...

Definitions

  1. In a primary manner; pertaining to the principal...

Ancestry of “principally”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishprincipalPrimary; most important; first level in...
2Old Frenchprincipal—
3Latinprincipālis—
4Latinprīncipium—
5Latinprīnceps—
6Latinprimoceps—
7Latincapiō—
8Proto-Italickapiōtake
9Proto-Italickapjōtake, seize
10Proto-Indo-Europeankh₂pyéti—
11Proto-Indo-Europeankeh₂p-to seize, grab; to seize; take up; lift; to take,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European keh₂p- →