Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “sidestep” come from?

Sidestep derives from English side, from Middle English side, from Old English sīde, from Proto-Germanic sīdǭ, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European sek- meaning to cut or divide.

sidestep (English): A step to the side; A motion, physical or...

Definitions

  1. A step to the side; A motion, physical or...

Ancestry of “sidestep”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishSide—
2Middle Englishsidecustom
3Old Englishsīdeside, flank
4Proto-West Germanic*sīdā—
5Medieval Latinsida—
6Late LatinsetaAlternative form of saeta; hair, bristle; bristle
7Latinsaetaa bristle, hair on an animal; silk
8Proto-Italicsaitā—
9Proto-Indo-Europeanséh₂ito-—
10Proto-Indo-Europeansh₂ey-to bind, fetter
11Proto-Indo-Europeanseh₂-to satiate, satisfy

Words derived from “sidestep”

  • sidestepper
Every word from Proto-Indo-European seh₂- →