Where does “pseudogenteel” come from?
pseudogenteel (English) comes from English genteel, from French gentil, from Old French gentil, from Latin gentīlis, from Latin -ilis, from Proto-Italic -elis, from Proto-Indo-European -elis, from Proto-Indo-European -lós — Forms agent nouns from verbal roots.
pseudogenteel (English): Apparently, but not actually, genteel
Definitions
- Apparently, but not actually, genteel
Ancestry of “pseudogenteel”, step by step
pseudogenteel traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English genteel
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | genteel | Affectedly proper or refined; somewhat prudish... |
| 2 | French | gentil | helpful, kind; pleasant, amiable, nice;... |
| 3 | Old French | gentil | noble; courteous; courtly |
| 4 | Latin | gentīlis | of or belonging to the same family or gēns: kinsman |
| 5 | Latin | -ilis | -ile |
| 6 | Proto-Italic | -elis | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | -elis | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | -lós | Forms agent nouns from verbal roots |
via English pseudo
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | pseudo | An intellectually pretentious person; a... |
| 2 | English | pseudo- | False, not genuine, fake |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | ψευδής | lying, false, untrue; deceived, beguiled |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | -ής | adjective suffix |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | -ēs | Primarily forms adjectival bahuvrīhi compounds |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | -ess | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | -os | Creates action nouns or result nouns from verbs;... |