Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “turtleneck” come from?

Turtleneck comes from Middle English tortou, from Old French tortüe, from Latin turtur, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots related to turning or bending.

turtleneck (English): A high, close-fitting collar, turned back on...

Definitions

  1. A high, close-fitting collar, turned back on...

Ancestry of “turtleneck”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishTurtleA member of the Ancient and Honorable Order of...
2Frenchtortueturtle or tortoise
3Middle Frenchtortueturtle
4Old Occitantortuga—
5Late Latintartarucha—
6Latintartarūchus—
7Ancient Greekταρταροῦχοςholder of Tartaros, Tartarus, the land of the...
8Ancient GreekἔχωI have, possess, contain, own; I hold; I have...
9Proto-Hellenichékʰō—
10Proto-Indo-Europeanseǵʰ-to hold; to overpower

Words derived from “turtleneck”

  • turtlenecked
  • beturtlenecked
Every word from Proto-Indo-European seǵʰ- →