Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “reconstruction” come from?

Reconstruction derives from Middle English re- and Latin constructio, itself from Latin re- and con-, ultimately from Latin com meaning "with" or "together."

reconstruction (English): A thing that has been reconstructed or restored...

Definitions

  1. A thing that has been reconstructed or restored...

Ancestry of “reconstruction”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishconstructionThe process of constructing; Anything that has...
2Middle Englishconstruction—
3Old Frenchconstruction—
4Latincōnstructiō—
5Latincōnstruō—
6Latincōn-—
7Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
8Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
9Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
10Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
11Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
12Middle Englishkyt—
13Germankitt—
14Old High Germankuti—
15Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
16Proto-Germanickweduzresin
17Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
18Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

Words derived from “reconstruction”

  • reconstructionist
  • reconstructionism
  • reconstructional
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →