Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “subcontractor” come from?

Subcontractor is English contractor with the prefix sub-, from Latin sub meaning under, traced to Proto-Italic supo and ultimately Latin cum meaning with.

subcontractor (English): A contractor hired by a general contractor...

Definitions

  1. A contractor hired by a general contractor...

Ancestry of “subcontractor”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcontractorA person or company that builds or improves...
2Late Latincontractor—
3Latincontractuscollected, accomplished, contracted; narrow,...
4Latincontrahō—
5Latincōn-—
6Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
7Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
8Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
9Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
10Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
11Middle Englishkyt—
12Germankitt—
13Old High Germankuti—
14Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
15Proto-Germanickweduzresin
16Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
17Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...
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