Where does “характер” come from?
характер (Russian) comes from Polish charakter, from Latin character, from Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ, from Ancient Greek χαράσσω, from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰer- — to yearn for; to enclose; bowels, intestines.
характер (Russian): character, temper, disposition; type; nature
Definitions
- character, temper, disposition; type; nature
Ancestry of “характер”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polish | charakter | personality; nature, features; role |
| 2 | Latin | character | branding iron; brand; characteristic, mark,... |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | χαρακτήρ | instrument used for engraving; person who... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | χαράσσω | to sharpen; to engrave, carve, write, draw, stamp |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵʰer- | to yearn for; to enclose; bowels, intestines |