Etymology Explorer › Old French

Where does “cher” come from?

cher (Old French) comes from Latin cārus, from Proto-Italic kāros, from Proto-Indo-European kéh₂ros, from Proto-Indo-European keh₂- — to desire, wish.

cher (Old French): Alternative form of chier

Definitions

  1. Alternative form of chier

Ancestry of “cher”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latincārus—
2Proto-Italickārosdear
3Proto-Indo-Europeankéh₂rosloved; dear
4Proto-Indo-Europeankeh₂-to desire, wish

Words derived from “cher”

  • cherish
  • cherishing
  • Belcher
  • cherisheth
  • cherisher
  • cherishable
  • cherishment
  • cherishingly
  • renchérir
  • surenchérir
  • réenchérir
  • enchérisseur
  • cherté
  • cher
  • enchérir
  • enchère
  • renchérissement
  • chérir
  • surenchère
  • lerche
  • cherishen
  • charish
  • chierir
  • cherir
Every word from Proto-Indo-European keh₂- →