Where does “undermatch” come from?

undermatch (English) comes from English match, from Middle English macche, from Old English ġemæċċa, from Old English ġemaca, from Old English ġe-, from Proto-West Germanic ga-, from Proto-Germanic ga-, from Proto-Indo-European ḱóm — to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

undermatch (English): A match that is less than optimal; One unequal or...

Definitions

  1. A match that is less than optimal; One unequal or...

Ancestry of “undermatch”, step by step

undermatch traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English match

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishmatchA competitive sporting event such as a boxing...
2Middle EnglishmaccheA bride or mate; a romantic or sexual partner
3Old Englishġemæċċa
4Old Englishġemacaa mate, an equal, companion, peer; companion,...
5Old Englishġe-used as an intensifier for verbs, indicating completeness or perfection
6Proto-West Germanicga-used as an intensifier for verbs, indicating...
7Proto-Germanicga-Indicates association or togetherness; co-;...
8Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
9Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
10Middle Englishkyt
11Germankittputty certain kinds of cement used for fixing e.g. window panes
12Old High Germankuti
13Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
14Proto-Germanickweduzresin
15Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
16Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

via English under

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishunderIn or at a lower level than; As a subject of;...
2Middle Englishunderunder
3Old Englishunderunder, beneath
4Proto-Germanicunderamong, between; under, beneath; under
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₁entérbetween
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₁enin; in, inside
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū-Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʷet-Every word from Proto-Germanic kweduz
undermatch — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer