Where does “trite” come from?
I appreciate the request, but I need to flag an issue: the etymology chain provided traces "critical" back through Greek κρίνω (to judge/separate) and ultimately to Proto-Indo-European *krey-, but this chain does not lead to the English word "trite."
"Trite" actually derives from Latin *tritus* (worn out, hackneyed), the past participle of *terere* (to rub/wear away), which comes from Proto-Indo-European *terh₂- (to rub/turn).
The chain you've provided seems to be for a different word (perhaps one related to "critical" or "criterion").
Could you clarify: Should I write an etymology for "trite" using the correct Latin-based chain, or did you mean to provide a different headword that matches this Greek-based etymology?
trite (English): Often in reference to a word or phrase: used so...
Definitions
- Often in reference to a word or phrase: used so...
Ancestry of “trite”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Latin | trite | vocative masculine singular of trītus |
| 2 | Latin | tritus | rubbed, triturated; worn out or away, well-worn |
| 3 | Latin | tero | I rub or triturate; I wear away or wear out; I... |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | terh₁- | to rub, turn; to drill, pierce |
Words derived from “trite”