Where does “selfishly” come from?
Selfishly derives from English selfish, formed from Old English self combined with -isċ and -līċ, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European roots ḱóm and līg-.
selfishly (English): In a selfish manner; with regard to private...
Definitions
- In a selfish manner; with regard to private...
Ancestry of “selfishly”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | selfish | Holding one's own self-interest as the standard... |
| 2 | English | Self | Himself, herself, itself, themself, themselves; that specific (person mentioned) |
| 3 | Middle English | salve | Alternative form of sauf |
| 4 | Old English | sealf | salve |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | salbu | salve, ointment |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | salbō | salve, ointment |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | solp-éh₂ | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | selp- | fat, oil |