Etymology Explorer › Portuguese

Where does “pusilânime” come from?

pusilânime (Portuguese) comes from Latin pusillanimis, from Latin animus, from Proto-Italic anamos, from Proto-Indo-European h₂enh₁mos, from Proto-Indo-European h₂enh₁- — to breathe.

pusilânime (Portuguese): pusillanimous; lacking in enthusiasm; one who is...

Definitions

  1. pusillanimous; lacking in enthusiasm; one who is...

Ancestry of “pusilânime”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinpusillanimisfaint-hearted, timid, pusillanimous
2LatinanimusThat life-giving aspect which animates: life...
3Proto-Italicanamosbreath; spirit, soul, life force
4Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂enh₁mosbreath
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂enh₁-to breathe
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂enh₁- →