Where does “switchgear” come from?

switchgear (English) comes from English gear, from Middle English gere, from Old Norse gervi, from Proto-Germanic garwijaną, from Proto-Germanic garwaz, from Proto-Germanic ga-, from Proto-Indo-European ḱóm, from Proto-Indo-European ḱe — to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

switchgear (English): A switching/interrupting device used in...

Definitions

  1. A switching/interrupting device used in...

Ancestry of “switchgear”, step by step

switchgear traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English gear

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishgearEquipment or paraphernalia, especially that used...
2Middle EnglishgereAlternative form of gery; Alternative form of...
3Old Norsegervigear
4Proto-Germanicgarwijanąto prepare
5Proto-Germanicgarwazready, prepared
6Proto-Germanicga-Indicates association or togetherness; co-;...
7Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
8Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
9Middle Englishkyt
10Germankittputty certain kinds of cement used for fixing e.g. window panes
11Old High Germankuti
12Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
13Proto-Germanickweduzresin
14Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
15Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

via English switch

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishswitchA device to turn electric current on and off or...
2Middle Dutchswijchtwig
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū-
switchgear — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer