Etymology Explorer › Middle English

Where does “piken” come from?

piken (Middle English) comes from Middle English pyke, from Old English pīc, from Proto-Germanic *pīk, from Latin pix, from Proto-Indo-European pik-, from Proto-Indo-European pi- — sap, juice.

piken (Middle English): To pick at; to use a edged tool on; To pierce or...

Definitions

  1. To pick at; to use a edged tool on; To pierce or...

Ancestry of “piken”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishpykeA sharp round point or projection; A point or end...
2Old Englishpīcpointed object, pick axe
3Proto-Germanic*pīk—
4Latinpixpitch, tar
5Proto-Indo-Europeanpik-to be angry; pitch; resin
6Proto-Indo-Europeanpi-sap, juice

Words derived from “piken”

  • pick
  • peak
  • picking
  • pickup
  • peep
  • peek
  • peck
  • toothpick
  • picky
  • peephole
  • pickpocket
  • pickguard
  • nitpicking
  • peckish
  • peeper
  • forepeak
  • peaky
  • peekaboo
  • handpick
  • picklock
  • peepshow
  • nitpick
  • photopeak
  • nitpicky
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pi- →