Where does “vorpal” come from?
vorpal (English) comes from English warp, from Middle English warp, from Old English wearp, from Proto-Germanic warpą, from Proto-Germanic werpaną, from Proto-Indo-European werb-, from Proto-Indo-European wer- — to burn; to cover, heed, notice; squirrel.
vorpal (English): Sharp or deadly; Having a special power making...
Definitions
- Sharp or deadly; Having a special power making...
Ancestry of “vorpal”, step by step
vorpal traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English warp
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | warp | The state, quality, or condition of being... |
| 2 | Middle English | warp | warp lengthwise threads |
| 3 | Old English | wearp | warp |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | warpą | warp |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | werpaną | to throw; to cast |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | werb- | to throw, twist, bend; to turn, bend, twist; to... |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | wer- | to burn; to cover, heed, notice; squirrel |