Where does “signpost” come from?
signpost (English) comes from English post, from Middle French poste, from Italian posta, from Italian posto, from Latin positus, from Latin pōnō, from Proto-Italic poznō, from Proto-Italic pozinō.
signpost (English): a post bearing a sign that gives information on...
Definitions
- a post bearing a sign that gives information on...
Ancestry of “signpost”, step by step
signpost traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English post
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | post | A long dowel or plank protruding from the ground;... |
| 2 | Middle French | poste | — |
| 3 | Italian | posta | mail, post; post office; stakes |
| 4 | Italian | posto | place, spot |
| 5 | Latin | positus | placed; ordained |
| 6 | Latin | pōnō | to place; to put; to lay |
| 7 | Proto-Italic | poznō | — |
| 8 | Proto-Italic | pozinō | — |
| 9 | Proto-Italic | sinō | — |