Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “sketchbook” come from?

Sketchbook derives from English sketch, from Dutch schets, from Italian schizzo, from Latin scheda, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots related to splitting or breaking.

sketchbook (English): A book or pad with blank pages for sketching; a...

Definitions

  1. A book or pad with blank pages for sketching; a...

Ancestry of “sketchbook”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsketchTo make a brief, basic drawing; To describe...
2Dutchschetssketch
3Italianschizzosquirt, splash; stain, spot, flake; sketch
4Latinschedium—
5Ancient Greekσχέδιοςnear, close; temporary, offhand, casual,...
6Ancient Greekσχεδόνnear, nearby; nearly, almost
7Ancient GreekἔχωI have, possess, contain, own; I hold; I have...
8Proto-Hellenichékʰō—
9Proto-Indo-Europeanseǵʰ-to hold; to overpower
Every word from Proto-Indo-European seǵʰ- →