Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “screw” come from?

Screw derives from Middle English screw, though its ultimate origin and earliest meaning remain uncertain.

screw (English): A device that has a helical function; The motion...

Definitions

  1. A device that has a helical function; The motion...

Ancestry of “screw”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishscrew—
2Old Frenchescrouenut, cylindrical socket, screwhole; scroll, strip...
3Latinscrofasow
4Proto-Indo-European(s)kerbʰ-to turn, curve; to turn , wind; to turn around,...
5Proto-Indo-European(s)ker-to cut off; to turn, bend
6Proto-Indo-Europeansek-to cut, cut off, sever

Words derived from “screw”

  • screwed
  • screwdriver
  • corkscrew
  • unscrew
  • unscrewing
  • screwball
  • screwy
  • thumbscrew
  • miniscrew
  • screwworm
  • airscrew
  • jackscrew
  • turnscrew
  • leadscrew
  • screwcap
  • screwtop
  • screwlike
  • screwcapped
  • screwer
  • screwbean
  • corkscrewlike
  • screwless
  • screwiness
  • corkscrewy
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sek- →