Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “stalwart” come from?

Stalwart derives from Scots stalwart, Middle English stalwarde, and Old English stǣlwierþe, from Old English staþol meaning foundation, rooted in Proto-Germanic staþulaz and Proto-Indo-European steh₂- meaning to stand.

stalwart (English): Firmly or solidly built; Courageous; Determined;...

Definitions

  1. Firmly or solidly built; Courageous; Determined;...

Ancestry of “stalwart”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Scotsstalwartphysically strong, powerful, stour; exhibiting...
2Middle Englishstal-worthphysically strong, hardy, robust; brave,...
3Old Englishstǣlwierþeable to stand in good stead, serviceable;...
4Old Englishstaþolfoundation, establishment; fixed position;...
5Proto-Germanicstaþulazposition, standing; support, frame, rack
6Proto-Indo-European*steh₂-—

Words derived from “stalwart”

  • stalwartly
  • stalwartness
Every word from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- →