Where does “subtest” come from?

Subtest comes from English test, derived from Latin sub and Latin testis, which trace back through Proto-Indo-European upo to roots meaning "standing" or "witness."

subtest (English): A test that is part of a larger one

Definitions

  1. A test that is part of a larger one

Ancestry of “subtest”, step by step

subtest traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English sub

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsubA submarine; A submarine sandwich: a sandwich...
2EnglishsubstituteTo use in place of something else, with the same...
3Middle Englishsubstituten
4Latinsubstitutussubstituted
5LatinsubstituoI place next to, under, or instead of; I...
6LatinstatuoI set up, station; I establish, determine, fix; I...
7Latinstātusfixed, set, having been set
8Latinstōto stand
9Proto-Italicstaēōstand
10Proto-Indo-Europeansth₂éh₁yetito stand
11Proto-Indo-European*steh₂-

via English Test

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishTesta Test match
2Germantestento test
3GermanTesttest; melting pot
4EnglishtestA challenge, trial; A cupel or cupelling hearth...
5Middle Englishteste
6Old Frenchtestehead
7Latintestiswitness; one who testifies or attests; testicle
8Latinterstis
9Latintrīstissad, unhappy, melancholy, morose
10Proto-Indo-Europeantristh₂sa third party standing, after the two parties to...
11Proto-Indo-Europeansteh₂-to stand
Every word from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂-