Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “trill” come from?

Trill comes from Middle English trillen, of uncertain origin and meaning.

trill (English): A rapid alternation between an indicated note and...

Definitions

  1. A rapid alternation between an indicated note and...

Ancestry of “trill”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Englishþweranto twirl; to stir
2Proto-Germanicþweranąto swirl, turn, stir
3Proto-Indo-Europeantwer-to rotate, twirl, swirl, move; to turn, twirl,...

Words derived from “trill”

  • tirl
  • triller
  • trilly
  • trillest
Every word from Proto-Indo-European twer- →