Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “sanctum” come from?

Sanctum comes from Latin sanctum, the neuter form of sanctus, derived from the Latin verb sancio, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European seh₂k-.

sanctum (English): A place set apart, as with a sanctum sanctorum; a...

Definitions

  1. A place set apart, as with a sanctum sanctorum; a...

Ancestry of “sanctum”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinsanctumnominative neuter singular of sānctus; accusative...
2Latinsanctussacred, made inviolable, having been established...
3LatinsancioI render, make or appoint as sacred or inviolable...
4Proto-Italicsankjō—
5Proto-Indo-Europeansh₂nékti ~ sh₂nkénti—
6Proto-Indo-Europeanseh₂k-sacred
Every word from Proto-Indo-European seh₂k- →