Where does “scathing” come from?
Scathing comes from Middle English scathen, from Old Norse skaða, from Proto-Germanic skaþô, from Proto-Indo-European sket-, meaning to harm or injure.
scathing (English): present participle of scathe; harshly or bitterly...
Definitions
- present participle of scathe; harshly or bitterly...
Ancestry of “scathing”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | scathe | Harm; damage; injury; hurt; misfortune; waste; To... |
| 2 | Middle English | scathe | Unfortunate, a pity, a shame |
| 3 | Old English | sceaþa | one who injures; enemy, ravager; warrior; injury |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | skaþô | damage, scathe; one who causes damage; injurer |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | sket- | to injure |