Where does “reftel” come from?
reftel (English) comes from English telegram, from English -gram, from Ancient Greek γράμμα, from Ancient Greek γράφω, from Proto-Hellenic grəpʰō, from Proto-Indo-European gerbʰ-, from Proto-Indo-European ger- — to turn, bend, twist, wind; to tie, bind...
reftel (English): A telegram referenced within another message; especially in the context of diplomatic cables
Definitions
- A telegram referenced within another message; especially in the context of diplomatic cables
Ancestry of “reftel”, step by step
reftel traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English telegram
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | telegram | A message transmitted by telegraph; To send a... |
| 2 | English | -gram | Something written, drawn or otherwise recorded |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | γράμμα | that which is written, that which is drawn,... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | γράφω | to scratch, cut into; to draw, sketch, paint; to... |
| 5 | Proto-Hellenic | grəpʰō | to scratch, cut or carve into |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | gerbʰ- | to carve |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | ger- | to turn, bend, twist, wind; to tie, bind... |
via English referenced
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | referenced | simple past tense and past participle of... |