Where does “tar” come from?
tar (English) comes from Middle English ter, from Old English teoru, from Old English teru, from Proto-Germanic terwą, from Pre-Germanic derwom, from English doru, from Ancient Greek δόρυ, from Proto-Hellenic dóru — hard, firm, strong, solid; hard, fast; tree.
tar (English): A black, oily, sticky, viscous substance,...
Definitions
- A black, oily, sticky, viscous substance,...
Ancestry of “tar”, step by step
tar traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.
via Middle English ter
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | ter | Tar or a similar substance; Alternative form of... |
| 2 | Old English | teoru | Alternative spelling of teru |
| 3 | Old English | teru | tar, resin; earwax |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | terwą | tar |
| 5 | Pre-Germanic | derwom | — |
| 6 | English | doru | Alternative form of dory |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | δόρυ | wood, tree, stem; spear shaft, spear, lance,... |
| 8 | Proto-Hellenic | dóru | tree |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | dóru | tree |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | drew- | hard, firm, strong, solid; hard, fast; tree |