Where does “signboard” come from?
I notice the etymology chain provided only contains variations of "board" and "back" with no path connecting to "signboard." Without a valid etymological chain showing how "signboard" developed from earlier forms, I cannot accurately write the required sentence following your rules, which require stating "only what the chain supports" and not inventing intermediate steps. Could you provide the correct etymology chain for "signboard"?
signboard (English): A board carrying a sign, or on which signs may be...
Definitions
- A board carrying a sign, or on which signs may be...
Ancestry of “signboard”, step by step
signboard traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English board
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | board | A relatively long, wide and thin piece of any... |
| 2 | English | boardrider | surfer |
| 3 | English | rider | One who rides, often on a horse or a motorcycle;... |
| 4 | Middle English | ridere | Alternative form of ryder |
| 5 | Middle English | ryder | A rider or equestrian; one who rides a horse; A... |
| 6 | Old English | rīdere | rider, knight |
| 7 | Old English | rīdan | to ride |
| 8 | Proto-West Germanic | rīdan | to ride |
| 9 | Proto-Germanic | rīdaną | to ride |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | rēydʰ- | — |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂er- | to fit, to fix, to put together |