Where does “substring” come from?

Substring derives from English string, which comes from Latin sub meaning "under" combined with a root from Proto-Italic supo, Proto-Indo-European upo, and Proto-Indo-European strengʰ- or ster-.

substring (English): A string of characters that is contained in...

Definitions

  1. A string of characters that is contained in...

Ancestry of “substring”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishstringA long, thin and flexible structure made from...
2Middle Englishstring—
3Old Englishstrengstring
4Proto-Germanicstrangizstring
5Proto-Indo-Europeanstrengʰ-to twist; rope, cord
6Proto-Indo-Europeanster-sterile, infertile
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ster- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European strengʰ- →Every word from Proto-Germanic strangiz →