Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “submachine” come from?

Submachine is formed from English machine combined with the Latin prefix sub, ultimately deriving from Latin machina, Ancient Greek μηχανή, and the Proto-Indo-European root megʰ-.

submachine (English): A machine forming part of a larger machine; Of or...

Definitions

  1. A machine forming part of a larger machine; Of or...

Ancestry of “submachine”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishmachineA device that directs and controls energy, often...
2Middle Frenchmachinemachine; device
3Latinmāchina—
4Ancient GreekμαχανάDoric form of μηχᾰνή
5Ancient Greekμηχανήcontrivance, machine, device, gear; way, means
6Ancient Greekμῆχοςmeans, expedient, remedy
7Proto-Indo-Europeanmeǵʰ-—
Every word from Proto-Indo-European meǵʰ- →