Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “recon” come from?

Recon is a shortening of recombination, which derives from Old French and Latin roots meaning "again" (re-) and "together" (con-), ultimately referring to joining elements anew.

recon (English): reconnaissance; reconnoiter; The smallest genetic...

Definitions

  1. reconnaissance; reconnoiter; The smallest genetic...

Ancestry of “recon”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishreconnaissanceThe act of scouting or exploring to gain...
2Frenchreconnaissancereconnaissance; thankfulness; recognition
3Frenchreconnaîtreto recognise; to admit
4Old Frenchreconoistreto recognize
5LatinrecognoscoI know again, recollect, recall to mind,...
6Latincognōscō—
7Latincōn-—
8Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
9Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
10Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
11Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
12Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
13Middle Englishkyt—
14Germankitt—
15Old High Germankuti—
16Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
17Proto-Germanickweduzresin
18Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʷet- →