Etymology Explorer › Middle English

Where does “wrist” come from?

wrist (Middle English) comes from Old English wrist, from Proto-Germanic wristuz, from Proto-Germanic wrīþaną, from Proto-Indo-European wreyt-, from Proto-Indo-European wer- — to burn; to cover, heed, notice; squirrel.

wrist (Middle English): wrist; The joint at the ankle

Definitions

  1. wrist; The joint at the ankle

Ancestry of “wrist”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Englishwristwrist
2Proto-Germanicwristuzjoint
3Proto-Germanicwrīþanąto weave, to twist
4Proto-Indo-Europeanwreyt-to twist
5Proto-Indo-Europeanwer-to burn; to cover, heed, notice; squirrel

Words derived from “wrist”

  • wrist
  • wristwatch
  • wristband
  • wristed
  • wristlock
  • wristy
  • wrister
  • wristbone
  • wristguard
  • wristless
  • wristwork
  • wriststrap
  • wristwear
  • wristiness
  • wristphone
  • limpwrist
  • wristily
  • wristwarmer
  • wristpad
  • wristbanded
  • limp-wrist
  • wrest
Every word from Proto-Indo-European wer- →