Etymology Explorer › Irish

Where does “altra” come from?

altra (Irish) comes from Middle Irish altra, from Proto-Celtic altrawū, from Proto-Celtic aleti, from Proto-Indo-European h₂életi, from Proto-Indo-European h₂el- — to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam.

altra (Irish): foster father; nurse

Definitions

  1. foster father; nurse

Ancestry of “altra”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Irishaltrafoster father; foster-father
2Proto-Celticaltrawūfoster-uncle; foster uncle
3Proto-Celticaletito nourish, grow
4Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂életito be nourishing
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂el-to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂el- →