Where does “windfallen” come from?

windfallen (English) comes from English wind, from English farm, from Middle English ferme, from Old French ferme, from Medieval Latin ferma, from Latin Firma, from Latin Firmus, from Proto-Italic fermos — to support; to hold.

windfallen (English): Blown down by the wind

Definitions

  1. Blown down by the wind

Ancestry of “windfallen”, step by step

windfallen traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English wind

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

via English fallen

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishfallenpast participle of fall; Having dropped by the...
2Englishfall"To be moved downwards."; "To move downwards.";...
3Middle Englishfall
4Old EnglishfeallAlternative form of fiell
5Proto-Germanicfallą
6Proto-Indo-European(s)pōl-to fall
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dʰer-