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

trill traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Old English þweran

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

via Middle English trillen

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishtrillen—
2Italiantrilloring; trill, warble, chirp; trill
3ItaliantrillareTo ring; To trill, to sing, to warble; To trill

Words derived from “trill”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European twer- →Every word from Proto-Germanic þweraną →Every word from Old English þweran →
trill — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer