Where does “piinlik” come from?

piinlik (Estonian) comes from Estonian piin, from Old Swedish pina, from Old Norse pína, from Old Saxon pīna, from Medieval Latin pena, from Latin poenā, from Ancient Greek ποινή, from Proto-Hellenic kʷoinā́ — to pay; to avenge.

piinlik (Estonian): embarrassing

Definitions

  1. embarrassing

Ancestry of “piinlik”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Estonianpiinpain, agony, torment
2Old Swedishpina
3Old Norsepínafine; to torment
4Old Saxonpīna
5Medieval Latinpenapunishment in hell; Alternative form of poena
6Latinpoenāpenalty, punishment
7Ancient Greekποινήblood money, wergeld; fine, ransom, penalty,...
8Proto-Hellenickʷoinā́
9Proto-Indo-Europeankʷoynéh₂payment; punishment, vengeance
10Proto-Indo-Europeankʷey-to pay; to avenge
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kʷey-Every word from Proto-Indo-European kʷoynéh₂Every word from Proto-Hellenic kʷoinā́
piinlik — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer