Where does “supernumber” come from?

supernumber (English) comes from English super, from English super-ego, from German Über-Ich, from German Ich, from Middle High German ich, from Old High German ih, from Proto-West Germanic ik, from Proto-Germanic *ek — I.

supernumber (English): A generalization of a complex number in a...

Definitions

  1. A generalization of a complex number in a...

Ancestry of “supernumber”, step by step

supernumber traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English super

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsuperOf excellent quality, superfine; better than...
2Englishsuper-egoAlternative spelling of superego
3GermanÜber-Ichsuperego
4GermanIchego, the Ich; self, me, him, etc
5Middle High GermanichI
6Old High GermanihI
7Proto-West GermanicikI
8Proto-Germanic*ek
9Proto-Indo-Europeanéǵh₂I

via English number

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishnumberAn abstract entity used to describe quantity; A...
2EnglishnumbPhysically unable to feel, not having the power...
3EnglishnimTo take or seize; To filch, steal; To walk with...
4Middle Englishnimento take
5Old Englishnimanto take, seize
6Proto-West Germanicnemanto take
7Proto-Germanicnemanąto take
8Proto-Indo-Europeannem-to distribute; to give, to take
Every word from Proto-Indo-European éǵh₂Every word from Proto-Germanic *ekEvery word from Proto-West Germanic ik
supernumber — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer