Etymology Explorer › Middle English

Where does “tape” come from?

tape (Middle English) comes from Old English tæppa, from Frankish tappō, from Proto-Germanic tappô, from Proto-Indo-European deh₂p-, from Proto-Indo-European deh₂- — to share, divide.

tape (Middle English): Alternative form of tappe; band, ribbon, tape

Definitions

  1. Alternative form of tappe; band, ribbon, tape

Ancestry of “tape”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Englishtæppatap, spigot; band, ribbon, tape
2Frankishtappō—
3Proto-Germanictappôplug; tap
4Proto-Indo-Europeandeh₂p-to sacrifice; to lose
5Proto-Indo-Europeandeh₂-to share, divide

Words derived from “tape”

  • tape
  • tap
  • tapping
  • videotape
  • audiotape
  • tapeworm
  • taproot
  • taproom
  • tappet
  • tapper
  • Sellotape
  • sellotape
  • tapeless
  • tapeline
  • doolally
  • taphole
  • wiretapper
  • heeltap
  • tappy
  • retape
  • tappable
  • multitap
  • tapelike
  • tapescript
Every word from Proto-Indo-European deh₂- →