Etymology Explorer › Middle Dutch

Where does “ernst” come from?

ernst (Middle Dutch) comes from Old Dutch ernost, from Proto-Germanic ernustuz, from Proto-Germanic arniz, from Proto-Indo-European er- — eagle, bird; loose, light, rare, sparse; to fail,...

ernst (Middle Dutch): combativeness; eagerness, zeal; seriousness

Definitions

  1. combativeness; eagerness, zeal; seriousness

Ancestry of “ernst”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Dutchernost—
2Proto-Germanicernustuzseriousness; earnest; strength; solidity;...
3Proto-Germanicarnizefficient, capable, diligent, sure
4Proto-Indo-Europeaner-eagle, bird; loose, light, rare, sparse; to fail,...

Words derived from “ernst”

  • ernst
Every word from Proto-Indo-European er- →