Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “unfreedom” come from?

Unfreedom comes from English freedom, ultimately from Latin unus through Proto-Indo-European óynos and ano-, tracing to the root h₂ent-.

unfreedom (English): The condition of being unfree; A particular...

Definitions

  1. The condition of being unfree; A particular...

Ancestry of “unfreedom”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishfreedomThe state of being free, of not being imprisoned...
2Middle Englishfredomfreedom, liberty; nationhood, independence; free...
3Old Englishfrēodōmfreedom, state of free-will, charter,...
4Proto-West Germanicfrijadōmfreedom
5Proto-West Germanicfrīfree
6Proto-Germanicfrijazfree
7Proto-Indo-EuropeanpriHósdear, beloved; happy, free
8Proto-Indo-EuropeanpreyH-to love, to please
Every word from Proto-Indo-European preyH- →