Where does “subterfuge” come from?
Subterfuge comes from Middle French subterfuge, from Medieval Latin subterfugium, from Latin subterfugio, combining subterfugio and fugio, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European upo and Latin fugio meaning to flee.
subterfuge (English): An indirect or deceptive device or stratagem; a...
Definitions
- An indirect or deceptive device or stratagem; a...
Ancestry of “subterfuge”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle French | subterfuge | — |
| 2 | Medieval Latin | subterfugium | — |
| 3 | Latin | subterfugio | I flee secretly or by stealth; I escape, I shun,... |
| 4 | Latin | subter | down below, underneath; directly below an area... |
| 5 | Latin | sub | under, beneath; behind; at the feet of |
| 6 | Proto-Italic | supo | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | upó | under, below |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₃ewp- | — |