Etymology Explorer › French

Where does “distinctif” come from?

distinctif (French) comes from French distinct, from Latin distinctus, from Latin distinguo, from Latin dis-, from Latin calceus, from Latin calx, from Ancient Greek χάλιξ — small stone, pebble; gravel, rubble.

distinctif (French): distinctive

Definitions

  1. distinctive

Ancestry of “distinctif”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchdistinctdistinct; discrete
2Latindistinctusdistinct, separate; definite, lucid
3LatindistinguoI distinguish, separate, divide or part; I adorn...
4Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
5Latincalceusshoe
6Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
7Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →