Where does “stronghold” come from?
Stronghold comes from Middle English strong-holde, combining Middle English strong from Old French estrange (meaning foreign or external) via Latin extraneus and Latin extra, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ster- and h₁eǵʰs.
stronghold (English): A place built to withstand attack; a fortress; A...
Definitions
- A place built to withstand attack; a fortress; A...
Ancestry of “stronghold”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | stranghalde | — |
| 2 | Middle English | strong | strong; Alternative form of straunge |
| 3 | Old English | strang | strong |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | strang | severe, strict, rigorous; strong |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | strangaz | tight, strict, straight; strong |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | strengʰ- | to twist; rope, cord |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | ster- | sterile, infertile |