Where does “semitrue” come from?

semitrue (English) comes from English True, from Middle English treowe, from Old English trēowe, from Proto-Germanic triwwiz, from Proto-Indo-European drew-, from Proto-Indo-European dóru, from Proto-Indo-European deru- — firm, solid; wood; be firm, hard, solid.

semitrue (English): Somewhat or partially true

Definitions

  1. Somewhat or partially true

Ancestry of “semitrue”, step by step

semitrue traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English True

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishTrue
2Middle EnglishtreoweAlternative form of trewe
3Old Englishtrēowetrusty, faithful
4Proto-Germanictriwwiztrue; faithful
5Proto-Indo-Europeandrew-hard, firm, strong, solid; hard, fast; tree
6Proto-Indo-Europeandórutree
7Proto-Indo-Europeanderu-firm, solid; wood; be firm, hard, solid

via English semi

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsemiA semi-detached house; A semitrailer; a...
2Englishsemi-half; partial, incomplete; somewhat, rather,...
3Latinsēmi-half
4Proto-Indo-Europeansēmihalf; partially
Every word from Proto-Indo-European deru-
semitrue — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer