Where does “propulsion” come from?
Propulsion comes from Medieval Latin propulsio, derived from Latin propello, from Latin pello meaning to drive or push, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European pelh₂-.
propulsion (English): The action of driving or pushing, typically...
Definitions
- The action of driving or pushing, typically...
Ancestry of “propulsion”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medieval Latin | propulsio | term |
| 2 | Latin | prōpellō | to drive, push or urge forth or forward; hurl, propel |
| 3 | Latin | prō- | forward direction, forward movement |
| 4 | Proto-Italic | *pro- | pro- see the Latin entry for further meanings |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | pro- | toward, forward |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | por- | to give birth; forward, through; going, passage |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |