Where does “wheelbarrow” come from?
Wheelbarrow derives from Middle English whelebarow, combining Middle English whele from Old English hwēol from Proto-Germanic hwehwlą, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European kʷel-, with the barrow element from Proto-Indo-European bʰer- meaning "to carry."
wheelbarrow (English): A small, one-wheeled cart with handles at one...
Definitions
- A small, one-wheeled cart with handles at one...
Ancestry of “wheelbarrow”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | whelbarwe | wheelbarrow |
| 2 | Middle English | whel | A wheel circular device for motion |
| 3 | Old English | hwēol | wheel |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | hweulō | nominative/vocative/accusative plural of *hwehwlą |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | kʷékʷléh₂ | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | kʷékʷlos | wheel; circle |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | kʷel- | to turn |