Where does “upwind” come from?
Upwind derives from English up- combined with wind, tracing through Middle English and Old English ūp- to Proto-Germanic windaną, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂weh₁- meaning to blow or move through air.
upwind (English): exposed to the wind; in the direction from which...
Definitions
- exposed to the wind; in the direction from which...
Ancestry of “upwind”, step by step
upwind traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English wind
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | wind | Real or perceived movement of atmospheric air... |
| 2 | English | farm | A place where agricultural and similar activities... |
| 3 | Middle English | ferme | A lease; the renting of land |
| 4 | Old French | ferme | lease; the land leased; farm |
| 5 | Medieval Latin | ferma | Alternative form of firma |
| 6 | Latin | Firma | tax, tribute |
| 7 | Latin | Firmus | strong, powerful |
| 8 | Proto-Italic | fermos | — |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰer-mo-s | holding |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰer- | to support; to hold |
via Middle English upwinden
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | upwinden | — |