Where does “severe” come from?

severe (Italian) comes from Italian severo, from Latin Sevērus, from Proto-Italic seɣwēros, from Proto-Indo-European seǵʰwr̥, from Proto-Indo-European seǵʰ- — to hold; to overpower.

severe (Italian): feminine plural of severo

Definitions

  1. feminine plural of severo

Ancestry of “severe”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Italianseverosevere; strict
2LatinSevērussevere, serious, strict, stern, stringent, austere, harsh, grave (in demeanor)
3Proto-Italicseɣwērossevere
4Proto-Indo-Europeanseǵʰwr̥overpowering
5Proto-Indo-Europeanseǵʰ-to hold; to overpower
Every word from Proto-Indo-European seǵʰ- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European seǵʰwr̥ →Every word from Proto-Italic seɣwēros →