Where does “skittish” come from?
Skittish derives from English skite and skete, from Ancient Greek σκήτη, ultimately traceable through Proto-Germanic skītaz to Proto-Indo-European roots sḱeyd- and sek-, with the suffix -iskos.
skittish (English): Easily scared or startled; timid; Wanton;...
Definitions
- Easily scared or startled; timid; Wanton;...
Ancestry of “skittish”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | -ish | Typical of, similar to, being like; Somewhat,... |
| 2 | Middle English | -ish | Alternative form of -yssh |
| 3 | Old English | -isċ | -ish |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | -isk | Creates adjectives from nouns |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | -iskaz | Forms adjectives from nouns with the sense of... |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | -iskos | Characteristic of, typical of, pertaining to |
Words derived from “skittish”