Where does “standpoint” come from?
Standpoint derives from Middle English compound of standen (stand) and point, where point comes from Old French point, from Latin punctum (a prick or dot), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European steh₂- (to stand or be firm).
standpoint (English): Point of view; perspective
Definitions
- Point of view; perspective
Ancestry of “standpoint”, step by step
standpoint traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English stand
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | stand | "To position or be positioned physically."; "To... |
| 2 | English | op | An operation; An amateur radio operator; An... |
| 3 | English | op shop | A shop, usually operated by a charity, to which... |
| 4 | English | opportunity | A chance for advancement, progress or profit; A... |
| 5 | English | opportune | Suitable for some particular purpose; At a... |
| 6 | Middle French | opportunité | — |
| 7 | Latin | opportūnitās | convenience, fitness |
| 8 | Latin | opportūnus | suitable |
| 9 | Latin | Portus | ” or, later, “Portus Rōmae”}} Portus large artificial harbour of Ancient Rome |
| 10 | Proto-Italic | portus | harbour |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | pértus | crossing |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 13 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |
via English point
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | point | A discrete division of something; A sharp... |
| 2 | Middle English | point | — |
| 3 | Old French | point | a sting; a prick; moment; time; dot |
| 4 | Latin | pūnctum | point |
| 5 | Latin | punctus | pricked, punctured, pierced, having been pricked;... |
| 6 | Latin | pungō | to prick; to puncture; to sting |
| 7 | Proto-Italic | pungō | to prick, to sting |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | pewǵ- | to punch, fist-fight; to prick, poke, stab |