Where does “caractère” come from?
caractère (French) comes from Old French caractere, from Latin character, from Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ, from Ancient Greek χαράσσω, from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰer- — to yearn for; to enclose; bowels, intestines.
caractère (French): character, demeanour, personality; character
Definitions
- character, demeanour, personality; character
Ancestry of “caractère”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old French | caractere | mark; sign; indication |
| 2 | Latin | character | branding iron; brand; characteristic, mark,... |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | χαρακτήρ | instrument used for engraving; person who... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | χαράσσω | to sharpen; to engrave, carve, write, draw, stamp |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵʰer- | to yearn for; to enclose; bowels, intestines |