Where does “self-acting” come from?
self-acting (English) comes from English acting, from English Act, from English actually, from English actual, from Middle English actual, from Anglo-Norman actuel, from Old French actual, from Latin actuālis — to drive.
self-acting (English): Acting of or by itself
Ancestry of “self-acting”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | acting | Temporarily assuming the duties or authority of... |
| 2 | English | Act | — |
| 3 | English | actually | In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively;... |
| 4 | English | actual | relating to a person's acts or deeds; active,... |
| 5 | Middle English | actual | — |
| 6 | Anglo-Norman | actuel | — |
| 7 | Old French | actual | — |
| 8 | Latin | actuālis | — |
| 9 | Latin | āctus | — |
| 10 | Latin | agō | — |
| 11 | Proto-Italic | agō | drive; push, impel; do, act |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂éǵeti | to be driving |
| 13 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eǵ- | to drive |