Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “untouchable” come from?

Untouchable derives from English touch, Latin unus, Proto-Indo-European óynos, Latin -abilis, Proto-Indo-European ano-, Proto-Indo-European ano-, Proto-Indo-European ne, and Proto-Indo-European dewk-.

untouchable (English): Not able to be touched; Not able to be defeated...

Definitions

  1. Not able to be touched; Not able to be defeated...

Ancestry of “untouchable”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishtouchableCapable of being touched; tangible or palpable
2EnglishtouchPrimarily physical senses; Primarily non-physical...
3Middle Englishtouchento touch
4Old Frenchtochierto touch
5Vulgar Latintuccoto knock, strike, offend; to strike; to touch; I...
6Frankishtukkōnto knock, strike, touch; to touch, hit; to touch
7Proto-Germanictukkōnąto tug, pull; to grab, snatch; to grasp, touch
8Proto-Indo-Europeandewk-to pull, to draw; to lead

Words derived from “untouchable”

  • untouchability
  • untouchably
  • untouchableness
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dewk- →