Where does “tailnumber” come from?

tailnumber (English) comes from English number, from English numb, from English nim, from Middle English nimen, from Old English niman, from Proto-West Germanic neman, from Proto-Germanic nemaną, from Proto-Indo-European nem- — to distribute; to give, to take.

tailnumber (English): the registration number that appears on the rear...

Definitions

  1. the registration number that appears on the rear...

Ancestry of “tailnumber”, step by step

tailnumber traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

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

via English Tail

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishTailA Chinese constellation coinciding with the tail of Scorpius, one of the 28 lunar mansions and the tail of Azure Dragon
2Middle EnglishtaylA tail; The back side or reverse of a creature; A...
3Old Englishtæġltail
4Proto-Germanictagląhair; ponytail; hair of a tail; tail
5Proto-Indo-Europeandoḱ-hair of the tail
6Proto-Indo-Europeandeḱ-take; perceive
Every word from Proto-Indo-European nem-Every word from Proto-Germanic nemanąEvery word from Proto-West Germanic neman
tailnumber — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer