Where does “vira-casaca” come from?
vira-casaca (Portuguese) comes from Portuguese virar, from Vulgar Latin virare, from Latin gȳrāre, from Latin gȳrus, from Ancient Greek γῦρος, from Ancient Greek μίτρα, from Proto-Indo-European mey- — to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange.
vira-casaca (Portuguese): turncoat a traitor; one who changes sides
Definitions
- turncoat a traitor; one who changes sides
Ancestry of “vira-casaca”, step by step
vira-casaca traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Portuguese virar
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portuguese | virar | to turn or bend; to upset or topple; to capsize |
| 2 | Vulgar Latin | virare | — |
| 3 | Latin | gȳrāre | — |
| 4 | Latin | gȳrus | circle |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | γῦρος | ring, circle |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | μίτρα | A metal guard worn round the waist; A maiden's... |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | mey- | to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange |