Where does “washstand” come from?
Washstand comes from English stand, Middle English standen, Old English standan, Proto-Germanic waskaną, and Proto-Indo-European steh₂-, meaning to stand or be placed.
washstand (English): A table containing a basin and a pitcher of water...
Definitions
- A table containing a basin and a pitcher of water...
Ancestry of “washstand”, step by step
washstand traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English stand
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | stand | "To position or be positioned physically."; "To... |
| 2 | English | op | An operation; An amateur radio operator; An... |
| 3 | English | op shop | A shop, usually operated by a charity, to which... |
| 4 | English | opportunity | A chance for advancement, progress or profit; A... |
| 5 | English | opportune | Suitable for some particular purpose; At a... |
| 6 | Middle French | opportunité | — |
| 7 | Latin | opportūnitās | convenience, fitness |
| 8 | Latin | opportūnus | suitable |
| 9 | Latin | Portus | ” or, later, “Portus Rōmae”}} Portus large artificial harbour of Ancient Rome |
| 10 | Proto-Italic | portus | harbour |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | pértus | crossing |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 13 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |
via English wash
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | wash | To clean with water; To move or erode by the... |
| 2 | Middle English | washen | — |
| 3 | Old English | wasċan | to wash |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | waskan | to wash |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | waskaną | to wash |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | watskaną | to wash, get wet |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | wed- | water |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | wey- | to wither; fade; to move, go ahead; to be strong;... |