Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “winder” come from?

Winder comes from English wind with the agent suffix -er, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂weh₁- meaning to turn or rotate.

winder (English): A winding plant; A textile worker, or machine,...

Definitions

  1. A winding plant; A textile worker, or machine,...

Ancestry of “winder”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishwindReal or perceived movement of atmospheric air...
2EnglishfarmA place where agricultural and similar activities...
3Middle Englishferme—
4Old Frenchfermelease; the land leased; farm
5Medieval LatinfermaAlternative form of firma
6LatinFirma—
7LatinFirmus—
8Proto-Italicfermos—
9Proto-Indo-Europeandʰer-mo-sholding
10Proto-Indo-Europeandʰer-to support; to hold

Words derived from “winder”

  • sidewinder
  • stemwinder
  • autowinder
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dʰer- →