Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “radar” come from?

radar (English) comes from English ranging, from English range, from Middle English rengen, from Old French rengier, from Old French reng, from Latin rencus, from Gaulish rekos, from Proto-Celtic reketi — to set in order.

radar (English): Acronym of radio detection and ranging

Definitions

  1. Acronym of radio detection and ranging

Ancestry of “radar”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishrangingpresent participle of range; Act of one who...
2EnglishrangeA line or series of mountains, buildings, etc; A...
3Middle Englishrengen—
4Old Frenchrengierto line up; to form ranks
5Old Frenchrengplace; position
6Latinrencusrow; order, rank
7Gaulishrekos—
8Proto-Celticreketito arrange
9Proto-Indo-European(H)rek-to set in order
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (H)rek- →