Where does “tail” come from?
Tail comes from Middle English tail, from Old English tæġl, from Proto-Germanic taglą, from Proto-Indo-European doḱ- and deḱ-, both ultimately from the same Proto-Indo-European root deḱ-.
tail (English): The caudal appendage of an animal that is...
Definitions
- The caudal appendage of an animal that is...
Ancestry of “tail”, step by step
tail traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Middle English tail
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | tail | Alternative form of tayl |
| 2 | Middle English | tayl | A tail; The back side or reverse of a creature; A... |
| 3 | Old English | tæġl | tail |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | taglą | hair; ponytail; hair of a tail; tail |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | doḱ- | hair of the tail |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | deḱ- | take; perceive |
via Middle English teil
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | teil | Alternative form of tayl |