Where does “tailwise” come from?
tailwise (English) comes from English wise, from Middle English wys, from Old English wīs, from Proto-Germanic wīsaz, from Proto-Indo-European weydstos, from Proto-Indo-European weyd- — to see.
tailwise (English): In the direction of the tail; tail first
Definitions
- In the direction of the tail; tail first
Ancestry of “tailwise”, step by step
tailwise traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English wise
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | wise | Showing good judgement or the benefit of... |
| 2 | Middle English | wys | wise, thoughtful, proper; knowledgeable; alert,... |
| 3 | Old English | wīs | wise |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | wīsaz | wise, knowledgeable |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | weydstos | knowledgeable |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | weyd- | to see |
via English Tail
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Tail | A Chinese constellation coinciding with the tail of Scorpius, one of the 28 lunar mansions and the tail of Azure Dragon |
| 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 |