Where does “protosign” come from?

protosign (English) comes from English proto, from English proto-, from Ancient Greek πρωτο-, from Ancient Greek πρῶτος, from Ancient Greek πρό, from Proto-Indo-European pró, from Proto-Indo-European per-, from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós — passed , crossed.

protosign (English): Simple gestures that might eventually develop...

Definitions

  1. Simple gestures that might eventually develop...

Ancestry of “protosign”, step by step

protosign traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English proto

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishprotoPrototypical; preceding the proper beginning of...
2Englishproto-first; most recent common ancestor of; Relating...
3Ancient Greekπρωτο-first, primary
4Ancient Greekπρῶτοςfirst; earliest; foremost, most prominent
5Ancient Greekπρόbefore; before, in front, forth, forward; before,...
6Proto-Indo-Europeanprótoward, leading to
7Proto-Indo-Europeanper-before, in front; first; to go through
8Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥tóspassed , crossed

via English sign

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsignA visible indication; Physical evidence left by...
2Middle Englishsigne
3Old Englishseġnsign; mark; token
4Latinsignumvisible indication: sign, mark, signal; seal,...
5Proto-Italicseknomsign
6Proto-Indo-Europeansek-to cut, cut off, sever
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tósEvery word from Proto-Indo-European per-Every word from Proto-Indo-European pró
protosign — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer