Etymology Explorer › French

Where does “multi-” come from?

multi- (French) comes from Latin multus, from Proto-Italic moltos, from Proto-Indo-European ml̥tós, from Proto-Indo-European mel-, from Proto-Indo-European mey- — to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange.

multi- (French): multi-

Definitions

  1. multi-

Ancestry of “multi-”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinmultusmuch; many
2Proto-Italicmoltos—
3Proto-Indo-Europeanml̥tóscrumbled, crumpled
4Proto-Indo-Europeanmel-soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub
5Proto-Indo-Europeanmey-to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange

Words derived from “multi-”

  • multicombustible
  • multicouche
  • multinational
  • multifeuillet
  • multijoueur
  • multinomial
  • multipartisme
  • multiparité
  • multisalle
  • multiprogrammation
  • multiprogrammer
  • multisport
  • multipale
  • multicellulaire
  • multirisque
  • multirécidiviste
  • multitraitement
  • multipropriété
  • multimarque
  • multicellularité
  • multirôle
  • multisports
  • multidimensionnel
  • multiséculaire
Every word from Proto-Indo-European mey- →