Where does “simply” come from?
Simply derives from Middle English symply, formed from French simple with the Middle English adjectival suffix -y, ultimately from Latin -ium and Proto-Indo-European roots sem- and pel-.
simply (English): In a simple way or state; considered in or by...
Definitions
- In a simple way or state; considered in or by...
Ancestry of “simply”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | symply | guiltlessly, frankly, truthfully; in a blameless... |
| 2 | Middle English | -y | Designates an adjective, in many cases formed by... |
| 3 | Middle English | -ien | Forms nouns and adjectives denoting origin, association, or residence; -ian |
| 4 | Old English | -ian | Forms verbs from nouns and adjectives |
| 5 | Old English | -ōjan | — |
| 6 | Proto-West Germanic | -ōn | Creates denominative verbs from nouns; Creates... |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | -ōną | Creates denominative verbs from nouns; Creates... |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | -eh₂yéti | Creates iterative/ frequentative/ intensive... |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | -yéti | Creates intransitive, often deponent,... |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | yé- | — |
| 11 | Chichewa | iye | he, she |