Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “varnishlike” come from?

varnishlike (English) comes from English varnish, from Middle English vernisch, from Old French vernis, from Medieval Latin vernix, from Latin veronix, from Byzantine Greek βερονίκη, from Ancient Greek βερονίκιον, from Ancient Greek Βερενίκη — shiny, light brown.

varnishlike (English): Resembling or characteristic of varnish

Definitions

  1. Resembling or characteristic of varnish

Ancestry of “varnishlike”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishvarnishA type of paint with a solvent that evaporates to...
2Middle Englishvernisch—
3Old Frenchvernis—
4Medieval Latinvernixvarnish; resin
5Latinveronix—
6Byzantine Greekβερονίκηresin amber
7Ancient Greekβερονίκιονsoda
8Ancient GreekΒερενίκηa city in Lybia; bringer of victory
9Ancient MacedonianΒερενῑ́κη—
10Ancient GreekφέρωI bring, bear, carry
11Proto-Hellenicpʰérōto bear
12Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰéretito be carrying
13Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰēr-shiny, light brown
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰēr- →