Where does “transvestite” come from?

Transvestite derives from Latin trans, combined with vestis (clothing), ultimately tracing through Proto-Indo-European terh₂- meaning to cross or go beyond.

transvestite (English): A person who sometimes wears clothes...

Definitions

  1. A person who sometimes wears clothes...

Ancestry of “transvestite”, step by step

transvestite traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Latin vestītus

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinvestītusclothed, clad, dressed, having been clothed
2Latinvestiōto clothe, dress
3Latinvestisgarment, gown, robe, vestment, clothing, vesture;...
4LatinlīneaA linen thread
5Latinlīnumflax
6Proto-Italiclīnom
7Proto-Indo-Europeanlīnomflax

via German Transvestitismus

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1GermanTransvestitismus

Words derived from “transvestite

Every word from Proto-Indo-European līnomEvery word from Proto-Italic līnomEvery word from Latin līnum
transvestite — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer