Where does “robust” come from?
Robust comes from Latin robustus, derived from Latin robur (oak wood, strength), which developed from Latin ruber (red), ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European h₁rewdʰ- (to redden).
robust (English): Evincing strength and health; strong; Violent;...
Definitions
- Evincing strength and health; strong; Violent;...
Ancestry of “robust”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | rōbustus | of oak, oaken |
| 2 | Latin | rōbur | an oak tree |
| 3 | Latin | ruber | red approximately like red ochre (which had a traditional status among the Romans); red that was both common and dignified, somewhat associated with pigment |
| 4 | Proto-Italic | ruðros | red |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | h₁rudʰrós | red |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | h₁rewdʰ- | red |