Where does “runlevel” come from?

Runlevel derives from English run and English level, with level tracing through Middle English rinnen and Latin libella, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₃er- and lewbʰ-.

runlevel (English): Any of a set of modes of operation in certain...

Definitions

  1. Any of a set of modes of operation in certain...

Ancestry of “runlevel”, step by step

runlevel traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English run

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishrunTo move swiftly; To flow; To sail before the...
2English-erA person or thing that does an action indicated...
3Middle English-eragentive suffix; agent noun suffix
4Old French-erAlternative form of -ier, verbal suffix;...
5Latin-ārefirst conjugation
6Proto-Italic-āōForms primarily denominative verbs
7Proto-Indo-European-eh₂yétiCreates iterative/ frequentative/ intensive...
8Proto-Indo-European-yétiCreates intransitive, often deponent,...
9Proto-Indo-Europeanyé-
10Chichewaiyehe, she

via English level

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlevelThe same height at all places; parallel to a flat...
2Middle Englishlevel
3Old Frenchlivel
4LatinlībellaAn as (the tenth part of a denarius)
5Latinlībra
6Ancient Greekζυγόνyoke, for joining animals; yoke, burden; in...
7Proto-Hellenicdzugónyoke
8Proto-Indo-Europeanyugómyoke
9Proto-Indo-Europeanyewg-to join, to yoke, to tie together
Every word from Chichewa iye
runlevel — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer