Where does “returning” come from?
Returning derives from Middle English returnen, from Anglo-Norman returner, from Old French retorner, from Latin retornare, formed with the prefix re- meaning again.
returning (English): present participle of return; The act of one who...
Definitions
- present participle of return; The act of one who...
Ancestry of “returning”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | return | To come or go back; To go back in thought,... |
| 2 | Middle English | returnen | to return |
| 3 | Anglo-Norman | returner | Alternative form of retorner |
| 4 | Old French | retourner | Alternative form of retorner |
| 5 | Medieval Latin | retornare | to turn back |
| 6 | Latin | rĕ- | back, backwards |
| 7 | Latin | prōdūcō | to lead or bring forth, forward or out |
| 8 | Latin | prō- | forward direction, forward movement |
| 9 | Proto-Italic | *pro- | pro- see the Latin entry for further meanings |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | pro- | toward, forward |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | por- | to give birth; forward, through; going, passage |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 13 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |