Where does “semi-column” come from?

semi-column (English) comes from English column, from Middle English columne, from Old French columne, from Latin columna, from Proto-Italic kolamen, from Proto-Indo-European ḱelH- — to freeze.

semi-column (English): A half column

Definitions

A half column

Ancestry of “semi-column”, step by step

semi-column traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English column

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	English	column	A solid upright structure designed usually to...
2	Middle English	columne	Alternative form of columpne
3	Old French	columne	column
4	Latin	columna	column, pillar; waterspout; column as in a book
5	Proto-Italic	kolamen	—
6	Proto-Indo-European	ḱelH-	to freeze

via English semi

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	English	semi	A semi-detached house; A semitrailer; a...
2	English	semi-	half; partial, incomplete; somewhat, rather,...
3	Latin	sēmi-	half
4	Proto-Indo-European	sēmi	half; partially

Every word from Proto-Indo-European ḱelH- →Every word from Proto-Italic kolamen →Every word from Latin columna →