Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “unmentionable” come from?

Unmentionable derives from English mention, which traces through Proto-Indo-European óynos and ano- back to the root men-, meaning to think or remember.

unmentionable (English): Not mentionable; Something not to be discussed in...

Definitions

  1. Not mentionable; Something not to be discussed in...

Ancestry of “unmentionable”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishmentionableImportant or worthy of note; Suitable to be...
2EnglishmentionA speaking or notice of anything, usually in a...
3Middle Englishmenciounmention
4Old Frenchmentionmention
5Latinmentionemaccusative singular of mentiō
6Latinmentiō—
7Latin-tiō—
8Latindissertātiō—
9Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
10Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
11Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
12Latincalceusshoe
13Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
14Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble

Words derived from “unmentionable”

  • unmentionables
  • unmentionably
  • unmentionableness
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →