Where does “septentrion” come from?

septentrion (English) comes from Middle English septentrion, from Latin septentrio, from Latin septem, from Proto-Italic septem, from Proto-Indo-European septḿ̥ — seven.

septentrion (English): The north or northern regions; Of or relating to...

Definitions

  1. The north or northern regions; Of or relating to...

Ancestry of “septentrion”, step by step

septentrion traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Middle English septentrion

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishseptentrion
2LatinseptentrioUrsa Major, Charles' Wain, the Big Dipper; Ursa...
3Latinseptemseven; 7
4Proto-Italicseptemseven
5Proto-Indo-Europeanseptḿ̥seven

via Latin septentriō

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1LatinseptentriōUrsa Major, Charles' Wain, the Big Dipper
2Latintriōa plow ox
3Latinterōto rub or triturate
4Proto-Indo-Europeanterh₁-to rub, turn; to drill, pierce
Every word from Proto-Indo-European septḿ̥Every word from Proto-Italic septemEvery word from Latin septem
septentrion — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer