Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “torchlight” come from?

Torchlight comes from English torch and light, where light derives from Old English lēoht, Proto-Germanic liuhtijaną, and Proto-Indo-European lewk-, meaning to shine or be bright.

torchlight (English): The dim light produced by a burning torch; The...

Definitions

  1. The dim light produced by a burning torch; The...

Ancestry of “torchlight”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishtorchA stick with a flame on one end, used chiefly as...
2Frenchtorcherto wipe with a cloth to remove dirt; to flare; to...
3Frenchtorchetorch; first-person singular present indicative...
4Old Frenchtorchebundle; torch
5Vulgar Latintorca—
6Latintorquischaplet; collar/necklace of twisted metal ,...
7Latintorqueō—
8Proto-Indo-Europeanterkʷ-to turn, spin
Every word from Proto-Indo-European terkʷ- →