Where does “underdrive” come from?
underdrive (Norwegian Nynorsk) comes from Norwegian Nynorsk drive, from Norwegian Nynorsk driva, from Old Norse drífa, from Proto-Germanic drībaną, from Proto-Indo-European dʰreybʰ-, from Proto-Indo-European dʰer- — to support; to hold.
underdrive (Norwegian Nynorsk): to understate
Definitions
- to understate
Ancestry of “underdrive”, step by step
underdrive traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Norwegian Nynorsk drive
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norwegian Nynorsk | drive | Alternative form of driva |
| 2 | Norwegian Nynorsk | driva | to drive, move; to propel; to run |
| 3 | Old Norse | drífa | — |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | drībaną | to drive, push, compel to go |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰreybʰ- | to drive, push |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰer- | to support; to hold |