Where does “spider-fear” come from?
spider-fear (English) comes from English fear, from Middle English fere, from Old English fēre, from Proto-Germanic fēriz, from Proto-Indo-European per-, from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós — passed , crossed.
spider-fear (English): The fear of spiders; arachnophobia
Definitions
- The fear of spiders; arachnophobia
Ancestry of “spider-fear”, step by step
spider-fear traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English fear
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | fear | A strong, uncontrollable, unpleasant emotion or... |
| 2 | Middle English | fere | fear |
| 3 | Old English | fēre | able to go, fit for service |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | fēriz | crossing, able to cross |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |
via English spider
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | spider | Any of various eight-legged, predatory... |
| 2 | Middle English | spiþre | A spider |
| 3 | Old English | spīþra | spider |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | *spinþrijō | spider |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)penh₁- | to twist; to weave |