Where does “olive” come from?
olive (Middle English) comes from Middle English olyve, from Old French olive, from Latin Olīva, from Ancient Greek ἐλαία, from Proto-Hellenic elaíwā, from Proto-Indo-European loiwom.
olive (Middle English): Alternative form of olyve
Definitions
- Alternative form of olyve
Ancestry of “olive”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | olyve | An olive tree; A sprig or garland of olive,... |
| 2 | Old French | olive | olive tree; olive |
| 3 | Latin | Olīva | — |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | ἐλαία | olive tree; olive; naevus |
| 5 | Proto-Hellenic | elaíwā | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | loiwom | — |