Where does “trade wind” come from?

trade wind (English) comes from English wind, from English farm, from Middle English ferme, from Old French ferme, from Medieval Latin ferma, from Latin Firma, from Latin Firmus, from Proto-Italic fermos — to support; to hold.

trade wind (English): A steady wind that blows from east to west above and below the equator

Definitions

  1. A steady wind that blows from east to west above and below the equator

Ancestry of “trade wind”, step by step

trade wind traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English wind

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishwindReal or perceived movement of atmospheric air...
2EnglishfarmA place where agricultural and similar activities...
3Middle EnglishfermeA lease; the renting of land
4Old Frenchfermelease; the land leased; farm
5Medieval LatinfermaAlternative form of firma
6LatinFirmatax, tribute
7LatinFirmusstrong, powerful
8Proto-Italicfermos
9Proto-Indo-Europeandʰer-mo-sholding
10Proto-Indo-Europeandʰer-to support; to hold

via English trade

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishtradeBuying and selling of goods and services on a...
2Middle Englishtradepath, course of conduct
3Middle Low Germantradetrack, course
4Old Saxontradaspoor, track
5Proto-West Germanic*trudo
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dʰer-Every word from Proto-Indo-European dʰer-mo-sEvery word from Proto-Italic fermos