Where does “spellbinding” come from?
Spellbinding derives from English spell and English binding, where binding comes from Middle English -ing and Old English -ing, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European bʰendʰ- meaning to bind or bend.
spellbinding (English): Engrossing; fascinating; gaining rapt attention;...
Definitions
- Engrossing; fascinating; gaining rapt attention;...
Ancestry of “spellbinding”, step by step
spellbinding traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English spell
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | spell | Words or a formula supposed to have magical... |
| 2 | Old French | espeler | to call; to cry out; to shout; to explain; to... |
| 3 | Old French | espelir | — |
| 4 | Frankish | spelôn | — |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | spellōną | to talk, tell, recount |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | spellą | news, message; tale, story |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)pel- | to split in two, split in half; to speak with a... |
via English binding
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | binding | Imposing stipulations or requirements that must... |
| 2 | Middle English | byndynge | The creation of a tie or binding |
| 3 | Middle English | binden | To secure or strengthen by various means; To take... |
| 4 | Old English | bindan | to bind, constrain; to fasten or join |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | bindan | to bind, to tie |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | bindaną | to bind, to tie |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰendʰ- | to bind; bond |