Where does “carissimo” come from?

carissimo (Italian) comes from Italian caro, from Latin cārus, from Proto-Italic kāros, from Proto-Indo-European kéh₂ros, from Proto-Indo-European keh₂- — to desire, wish.

Ancestry of “carissimo”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Italiancarodear beloved, or in the salutation of a letter, sweetheart
2Latincārusdear, beloved
3Proto-Italickārosdear
4Proto-Indo-Europeankéh₂rosloved; dear
5Proto-Indo-Europeankeh₂-to desire, wish
Every word from Proto-Indo-European keh₂- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European kéh₂ros →Every word from Proto-Italic kāros →