Where does “Portsmouth” come from?
Portsmouth (Portuguese) comes from English Portsmouth, from Middle English Portesmuða, from Old English Portesmuða, from Old English port, from Latin porta, from Proto-Indo-European per-, from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós — passed , crossed.
Ancestry of “Portsmouth”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Portsmouth | OS grid ref SD9026 |
| 2 | Middle English | Portesmuða | — |
| 3 | Old English | Portesmuða | — |
| 4 | Old English | port | a port, a haven; a town, particularly one with... |
| 5 | Latin | porta | gate, especially of a city; entrance, passage,... |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |