Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “starkly” come from?

Starkly comes from Middle English starkli, Old English stearclīċe, Proto-Germanic starkulīka, Proto-Germanic starkulīkaz, and Proto-Germanic starkuz, ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European (s)terg- meaning to stiffen or be rigid.

starkly (English): In a stark manner; with great contrast

Definitions

  1. In a stark manner; with great contrast

Ancestry of “starkly”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishstarkli—
2Old Englishstearclīċestrongly; stoutly; vigorously; vehemently;...
3Proto-Germanicstarkulīkastrongly; stiffly
4Proto-Germanicstarkuzstiff; rigid; strong
5Proto-Germanicsterkanąto become stiff, stiffen
6Proto-Indo-Europeansterg-rigid, stiff; to love
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sterg- →