Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “unbind” come from?

Unbind comes from Middle English unbinden, from Old English unbindan, from Proto-Germanic andabindaną and bindaną, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots bʰendʰ- and h₂ent- meaning to bind or stretch.

unbind (English): To take bindings off; To set free from a debt,...

Definitions

  1. To take bindings off; To set free from a debt,...

Ancestry of “unbind”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishunbinden—
2Old Englishunbindan—
3Proto-Germanicandabindanąto unbind, loosen, set free
4Proto-Germanicanda-against, opposing; un-, de-
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂éntiopposite; near; in front
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂éntsforehead; front
7Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂ent-face; forehead; front
8Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂en-on, onto

Words derived from “unbind”

  • unbinder
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂en- →