Where does “turpitude” come from?

Turpitude derives from Middle French turpitude, from Latin turpitudo, from Latin turpis, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European terkʷ-.

turpitude (English): Inherent baseness, depravity or wickedness;...

Definitions

  1. Inherent baseness, depravity or wickedness;...

Ancestry of “turpitude”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Frenchturpitude—
2Latinturpitūdōugliness, unsightliness, foulness, deformity
3Latinturpisugly, unsightly; foul, filthy; cacophonous,...
4Proto-Indo-Europeantrep-to tremble; to satisfy, enjoy; to scamper, trip,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European trep- →Every word from Latin turpis →Every word from Latin turpitūdō →