Where does “unprepossessing” come from?
Unprepossessing derives from English un- plus prepossessing, ultimately from Latin unus (one) and Proto-Indo-European óynos and h₂ent- (being).
unprepossessing (English): Unimpressive or unremarkable; dull and ordinary;...
Definitions
- Unimpressive or unremarkable; dull and ordinary;...
Ancestry of “unprepossessing”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | prepossessing | Tending to invite favor; attracting confidence,... |
| 2 | English | prepossess | To preoccupy, as ground or land; to take previous... |
| 3 | English | possess | To have; to have ownership of; To take control of... |
| 4 | Middle English | possessen | — |
| 5 | Middle French | possesser | to possess |
| 6 | Old French | possesser | to possess |
| 7 | Latin | possessus | possessed; seized |
| 8 | Latin | possideō | to have, hold, own, possess |
| 9 | Latin | potis | able, capable, possible |
| 10 | Proto-Italic | potis | master, in control of |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | pótis | master, ruler; husband |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | ph₃tis | — |
| 13 | Proto-Indo-European | peh₃- | to drink |