Where does “softmodem” come from?

softmodem (English) comes from English software, from English -ware, from Middle English ware, from Old English wær, from Proto-West Germanic wār, from Proto-Germanic wēraz, from Proto-Indo-European wiHrós, from Proto-Indo-European weyh₁- — to chase, pursue; to suppress, persecute.

softmodem (English): A modem with minimal hardware capabilities,...

Definitions

  1. A modem with minimal hardware capabilities,...

Ancestry of “softmodem”, step by step

softmodem traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English software

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsoftwareEncoded computer instructions, usually...
2English-wareUsed to form nouns denoting, collectively, items...
3Middle EnglishwareAlternative form of veir; Alternative form of...
4Old Englishwærcautious, on guard, watching out for something;...
5Proto-West Germanicwārtrue, reliable
6Proto-Germanicwēraztrue; reliable; friendly; kind
7Proto-Indo-EuropeanwiHrósman; husband; warrior, hero
8Proto-Indo-Europeanweyh₁-to chase, pursue; to suppress, persecute

via English modem

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishmodemA device that encodes digital computer signals...
2Englishmodulator-demodulator
Every word from Proto-Indo-European weyh₁-