The English source dictionary · partial corpus coverage

English word origins · page 162

35,981 permanent word records. Read the source etymologies, inspect mentioned relationships and see where the evidence stops. These are not 35,981 independently reviewed deep dives.

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Page 162 of 180

spag

UK 1940s, Australia 1960s

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spahi

From French spahi, from Ottoman Turkish سپاهی (sipahi), from Classical Persian سِپَاهِی (sipāhī, “horseman, soldier”) (> sepoy), from سِپَاه (sipāh, “army”). Doublet of sepoy and sipahi.

1 source section · 4 relationship mentions

From Middle English spake, spak, from Old Norse spakr (“wise, gentle, quiet”), from Proto-Germanic *spakaz (“wise, clever”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)peǵ- (“to understand; intelligent, attentive”). Cognate with Swedi

4 source sections · 8 relationship mentions

spald

Inherited from Middle English spalden, from either Middle Dutch spalden (“to spilt”) or Middle Low German spalden (“to spilt”), ultimately from or related to Proto-West Germanic *spilþijan (“to destroy, spoil, ruin”). Co

1 source section · 8 relationship mentions

spale

From Middle English spale (“splinter”), perhaps partly from Old English *spalu (“flat bar, flake, chip”) or Old Norse spǫlr (“plank, rail, bar, short piece of wood”), both from Proto-Germanic *spaluz (“pole, rod, thin ba

1 source section · 12 relationship mentions

spall

From Middle English spalle (“a chip”) (first documented in 1440), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from the Middle English verb spald (“to split”) (c.1400), from Middle Low German spalden, cognate with Old High German spalta

2 source sections · 4 relationship mentions

spalt

Compare German Spalt (“stein”), from spalten (“to split”).

1 source section · 1 relationship mention · brief record

spam

The original sense (canned ham) is a proprietary name registered by Geo. A. Hormel & Co. in U.S., 1937. It is presumed to be a conflation of either "spiced ham" or "shoulder of pork and ham" but was soon extended to othe

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions

span

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)pend-der. Proto-Germanic *spannō Old English spann Middle English spanne English span From Middle English spanne, from Old English spann, from Proto-Germanic *spannō (“span, handbre

3 source sections · 18 relationship mentions

spane

From Middle English spanen, probably from Middle Dutch spanen, spenen or Middle Low German spānen, spēnen, spōnen (“to wean”), ultimately from the merger of Proto-West Germanic *spanōn and *spannjan, from Proto-Germanic

1 source section · 10 relationship mentions

spang

From Middle English spang (“a small piece of ornamental metal; spangle; small ornament; a bowl or cup”), likely from Middle Dutch spange (“buckle, clasp”) or Old English spang (“buckle, clasp”).

4 source sections · 5 relationship mentions

spank

Uncertain. Possibly imitative, or perhaps a special use of Etymology 2 (below) in the sense of a horse stamping its foot against the ground. There is no evidence of a relation with Portuguese espancar (“to batter, strike

2 source sections · 7 relationship mentions

spar

From Middle English sparre (“spar, rafter, beam”) (noun), sparren (“to close, bar”) (verb), from Middle Dutch sparre or Middle Low German Sparre, all ultimately from Proto-Germanic *sparrô (“stake, beam”), from Proto-Ind

3 source sections · 19 relationship mentions

spare

From Middle English spare, spar, from Old English spær (“sparing, scant”), from Proto-Germanic *sparaz, from Proto-Indo-European *sph₁rós, from the root *speh₁-. Compare Dutch spaar(zaam), German spar(sam) and spär(lich)

3 source sections · 38 relationship mentions

spark

Etymology tree Proto-West Germanic *sparkō Old English spearca Middle English sparke English spark From Middle English sparke, sperke, from Old English spearca, from Proto-West Germanic *sparkō (compare Saterland Frisian

3 source sections · 31 relationship mentions

sparr

Likely from Middle English *spar, from Old Norse sparr, spǫrr (“sparrow”), from Proto-Germanic *sparwaz, from Proto-Indo-European *spḗr (“sparrow”). Doublet of sparrow.

1 source section · 5 relationship mentions

spary

From spare + -y.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spasm

From Middle English spasme, from Old French spasme, from Latin spasmus, from Ancient Greek σπασμός (spasmós, “spasm, convulsion”), from σπάω (spáō, “to draw out, pull out”).

1 source section · 4 relationship mentions

spat

From Old English spittan, spætan.

6 source sections · 2 relationship mentions

spate

The noun is derived from Middle English spate, spait (“a flood”), influenced by Scots spate (“torrent of water, flood; heavy downpour of rain; (figurative) bout of drinking; large crowd of people; flood of events, words,

1 source section · 6 relationship mentions

spath

From New Latin, shortening of the genus name Spathiphyllum, from Ancient Greek σπάθη (spáthē, “blade”) + φύλλον (phúllon, “leaf”).

1 source section · 1 relationship mention

spats

Clipping of spatterdashes.

2 source sections · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spaug

From Irish spág (“the paw, limb or claw of an animal”), transferred to humans as pejorative or for club-foot.

1 source section · 1 relationship mention · brief record

spawl

Perhaps representing a frequentative form of spew.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spawn

Recorded since 1413; from Middle English spawnen, from Anglo-Norman espaundre, from Old French espandre, from Latin expandere (“stretch out; spread out”, verb). Doublet of expand. Compare also Middle English spalden, spo

2 source sections · 5 relationship mentions

spay

From Middle English spayen, spaien, from the Anglo-Norman espeier, equivalent to the Old French espeer (“to cut with a sword”), from espee (“sword”), whence the Modern French épée.

2 source sections · 3 relationship mentions

spaz

From spastic. Compare spasm /ˈspæzəm/.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

speak

From Middle English speke, speken (“to speak”), from Old English specan (“to speak”). This is usually taken to be an irregular alteration of earlier sprecan, spreocan (“to speak”), from Proto-West Germanic *sprekan, from

1 source section · 14 relationship mentions

spean

From Middle English *spene, *spane, from Old English spane, spanu (“teat”), from Proto-West Germanic *spanu, *spenu, from Proto-Germanic *spenô (“nipple”), from Proto-Indo-European *pstḗn (“breast; teat”). Cognate with W

2 source sections · 12 relationship mentions

spear

From Middle English spere, sperre, spear, from Old English spere, from Proto-West Germanic *speru, from Proto-Germanic *speru, from Proto-Indo-European *sperH-. Cognates See also West Frisian spear, Dutch speer, German S

2 source sections · 15 relationship mentions

speck

From Middle English spekke, from Old English specca (“small spot, stain”), from the same ultimate source as Proto-Germanic *sprakô (“spark”). Cognate with Low German spaken (“to spot with wet”).

2 source sections · 12 relationship mentions

sped

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

2 source sections · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

speed

From Middle English sped (“prosperity, good luck, quickness, success”), from Old English spēd (“success”), from Proto-West Germanic *spōdi (“prosperity, success”), from Proto-West Germanic *spōan, from Proto-Germanic *sp

3 source sections · 37 relationship mentions

speel

From Early Scots speill (“to climb”), of obscure origin. From or akin to Early Scots spelare (“acrobat, tumbler”). Probably from Middle Dutch spelen (“to play, walk a tight rope, do gymnastic tricks, juggle, perform as a

5 source sections · 18 relationship mentions

speer

From Middle English spuren, from Old English spyrian, from Proto-Germanic *spurjaną. Cognate with German spüren, Danish spørge, Norwegian Bokmål spørre, Swedish spörja.

1 source section · 7 relationship mentions

speld

From Middle English speld, spelde, from Old English speld (“a splinter; a chip of wood; torch”), from Proto-Germanic *speldą (“splinter, board”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)pel- (“to split”).

1 source section · 4 relationship mentions

spelk

From Middle English spelke, from Old English spilc, spelc (“a splint”), from Proto-West Germanic *spelku, from Proto-Germanic *spelkō, *spalkō, *spalkuz (“bast, splint”). Cognate with Old Norse spjalkir (“bars, rails”, p

2 source sections · 10 relationship mentions

spell

From Middle English spell, spel, from Old English spell (“news, story”), from Proto-Germanic *spellą (“speech, account, tale”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)pel- (“to tell”) or from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel- (“to speak,

5 source sections · 23 relationship mentions

spelt

From Late Middle English spelde (past tense) and spelled, ispeled, ispelled (past participles). The past tense reflects an early Middle English syncopation of spellede, while the past participle remained largely disyllab

3 source sections · 9 relationship mentions

spend

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁éǵʰ Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₁éǵʰs Proto-Italic *eks Latin ex Latin ex- Proto-Indo-European *(s)pend- Proto-Indo-European *(s)péndeti Proto-Italic *pendō Latin p

1 source section · 8 relationship mentions

speos

From Ancient Greek. See speleo-.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

sperg

Clipping of Asperger's.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

sperm

From Middle English sperme, from Latin sperma, from Ancient Greek σπέρμα (spérma, “seed, semen”). Compare also Old French esperme, sparme.

1 source section · 4 relationship mentions

spesh

Shortened from special.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

speso

Learned borrowing from Esperanto speso. Doublet of expense.

1 source section · 2 relationship mentions

spet

Inherited from Middle English spet.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spew

From Middle English spewen, from Old English spīwan, from Proto-West Germanic *spīwan, from Proto-Germanic *spīwaną, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ptyēw- (“to spit, vomit”). Germanic cognates include English spit, West Fr

1 source section · 22 relationship mentions

spewy

From spew + -y.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

speyk

See speak.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

sphex

Borrowed from translingual Sphex, from the Ancient Greek σφήξ (sphḗx, “wasp”), plural σφῆκες (sphêkes). The plural spheges is likely a borrowing from Latin Sphēgēs.

1 source section · 3 relationship mentions

sphyg

Clipping of sphygmomanometer.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spial

Aphetic form of espial.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spic

First attested in this spelling in the 1910s, from earlier spig, spiggoty, spikity, generally taken to derive from a (stereotype of a) Hispanic pronunciation of "(no) speak d(e) English" (especially as used by the labore

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions

spica

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *spey-der.? Proto-Italic *speikā Latin spicalbor. English spica Learned borrowing from Latin spica.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions

spice

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *speḱ- Proto-Indo-European *-yeti Proto-Indo-European *spéḱyeti Proto-Italic *spekjō Latin speciō Proto-Indo-European *-yḗh₂s Proto-Italic *-jēs Latin -iēs Late Latin speciēs Old French

2 source sections · 4 relationship mentions

spick

Variant of spike.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spicy

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions

spide

A contraction of “spider men”, referring to individuals with cobweb-like tattoos. Also refers to people who 'hang' around street corners, loitering.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions

spiel

Borrowed from German Spiel (“game, performance”) or Yiddish שפּיל (shpil), both from Middle High German spil, from Old High German spil, from Proto-West Germanic *spil. Cognate with Old English spilian (“to revel, play”)

2 source sections · 8 relationship mentions

spier

Inherited from Middle English spier, spyer, spiar, equivalent to spy + -er. Compare Dutch verspieder and bespieder (“spier”), German Späher (“spier”). Compare also Danish spejde (“spy”), Swedish speja (“spy”).

1 source section · 7 relationship mentions

spife

Blend of spoon + knife.

1 source section · 2 relationship mentions · brief record

spiff

Unknown. See etymology discussion at spiffy.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spike

From Middle English spike, spyke, spik, from Old Norse spík (“spike, sprig”), from Proto-Germanic *spīkō (“stick, splinter, point”), from Proto-Indo-European *spey- (“to be pointed; sharp point, stick”). Cognate with Ice

1 source section · 10 relationship mentions

spiky

From spike (“kind of inflorescence in which sessile flowers are arranged on an unbranched elongated axis”) + -y (suffix forming adjectives with the sense “having the quality of”). Spike is derived from Middle English spi

2 source sections · 15 relationship mentions

spile

From Middle Dutch or Middle Low German spile (“splinter, peg”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *spīlaz (“splinter, peg”), from Proto-Indo-European *spey- (“prickle, pointed stick”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian spyl, G

3 source sections · 7 relationship mentions

spill

From Middle English spillen, from Old English spillan, spildan (“to kill, destroy, waste”), from Proto-West Germanic *spilþijan, from Proto-Germanic *spilþijaną (“to spoil, kill, murder”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)pe

1 source section · 11 relationship mentions

spilt

From spill + -t.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spim

Blend of spam + IM (instant messaging).

1 source section · 2 relationship mentions · brief record

spime

Coined by Bruce Sterling in 2004, as a blend of space + time.

1 source section · 2 relationship mentions

spin

From Middle English spinnen, from Old English spinnan, from Proto-Germanic *spinnaną, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)penh₁-. Cognates Cognate with Dutch, German spinnen (“to spin”), Luxembourgish spannen (“to spin”), Yiddi

3 source sections · 11 relationship mentions

spina

Unadapted borrowing from Latin spīna (“a thorn; a prickle, spine”). Doublet of spine.

1 source section · 2 relationship mentions

spine

From late Middle English spyne, from Old French espine (French épine) or its source, Latin spīna (“a thorn; a prickle, spine; the backbone”). Doublet of spina.

1 source section · 5 relationship mentions

sping

Blend of spam + ping.

1 source section · 2 relationship mentions · brief record

spiny

Etymology tree English spine Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English spiny From spine + -y.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions

spire

From Middle English spire, spyre, spier, spir, from Old English spīr, from Proto-Germanic *spīrō, *spīrǭ (“peak; point; tip; stalk”). Cognate with Dutch spier, German Low German Spier, German Spier, Spiere, Danish spir,

3 source sections · 12 relationship mentions

spiro

Ultimately from Latin spīra (“coil, twist”).

1 source section · 1 relationship mention · brief record

spiry

Etymology tree English spire Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English spiry From spire + -y.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions

spiss

From Latin spissus.

1 source section · 1 relationship mention · brief record

spit

The noun is from Middle English spit, spite, spete, spette, spyte, spytte (“rod on which meat is cooked; rod used as a torture instrument; short spear; point of a spear; spine in the fin of a fish; pointed object; dagger

3 source sections · 49 relationship mentions

spite

From Middle English spit, a shortening of despit (whence despite), from Old French despit, from Latin dēspectum (“looking down on”), from Latin dēspiciō (“to look down, despise”). Compare also North Frisian spīt, spīd (“

1 source section · 12 relationship mentions

spitz

From German Spitz, from spitz (“pointed”); so called from the tapering shape of its muzzle.

1 source section · 1 relationship mention · brief record

spiv

Unknown. Perhaps from spiff, spiffy. Spiv was the nickname of Henry Bagster, a Londoner arrested a number of times in 1904-6 for activities as described below, and may have been the archetype. Also possibly from Romani s

1 source section · 1 relationship mention

splat

From earlier splat (“to spread flat”), from Middle English splatten, splaten (“to stretch out, extend", also "to split”). Compare dialectal English splat (“flat”).

2 source sections · 2 relationship mentions

splay

PIE word *dwís The verb is derived from Middle English splaien, splayen (“to display; to spread out, unfurl (a flag, etc.); (cooking) to cut open (a fish) lengthwise and lay it open; (figurative) to appear; to spread”),

2 source sections · 5 relationship mentions

splet

From Dutch or Middle Low German spletten, obscurely related to split and spleet.

1 source section · 1 relationship mention · brief record

split

Attested since about 1567, from Middle Dutch splitten (“to split”) and/or Middle Low German splitten (“to split”), both ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *splittjan, an intensive form of Proto-West Germanic *splītan (“

2 source sections · 32 relationship mentions

splo

Clipping of explosion, suggesting its effects when consumed.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

splog

Blend of spam + blog.

1 source section · 2 relationship mentions · brief record

splop

Probably a blend of splash and plop

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

splot

From Middle English *splot (suggested by Middle English splotty (“spotted, speckled”)), from Old English splott (“spot, blot, patch or plot of land”), from Proto-West Germanic *splott, from Proto-Germanic *spluttaz (“seg

1 source section · 6 relationship mentions

spod

Origin unknown; possibly related to English spud, in the sense of a potato.

1 source section · 1 relationship mention · brief record

spog

From Yorkshire dialect of unclear origin, possibly related to dialectal term spice (“sweets”). More specific sense comes from the Yorkshire-based sweet company Bassett's, who used the term to describe one component of th

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions

spoil

Etymology tree Latin spolium Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h₂tiinflu. Proto-Italic *-ājō Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Lati

2 source sections · 6 relationship mentions

spoke

From Middle English spoke, from Old English spāca, from Proto-West Germanic *spaikā, from Proto-Germanic *spaikō. Compare Scots spaik (“spoke”), Dutch spaak and English spike.

2 source sections · 7 relationship mentions

spoky

From spoke + -y, from the resemblance to spokes of a wheel.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spole

Variant of spool.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spong

Probably Norwegian.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spoo

An alteration of spew.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spoof

Coined by English comedian Arthur Roberts in 1884 as the name of a card game involving deception and nonsense.

2 source sections · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spook

Borrowed from Dutch spook (“ghost”), from Middle Dutch spooc (“spook, ghost”), ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *spōk. Cognate with Middle Low German spôk, spûk (“apparition, ghost”), Middle High German gespük (“a hau

1 source section · 8 relationship mentions

spool

From Middle English spole (possibly via Old Northern French spole, espole), from Middle Dutch spoele, from Old Dutch *spōla, *spuola, from Proto-Germanic *spōlǭ (“spool”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)pel- (“to cleave, s

2 source sections · 12 relationship mentions

spoom

Probably a variant of spume (“foam”).

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spoon

From Middle English spoon, spoune, spone, spon (“spoon, chip of wood”), from Old English spōn (“sliver, chip of wood, shaving”), from Proto-West Germanic *spānu, from Proto-Germanic *spēnuz (“chip, flake, shaving”), from

2 source sections · 15 relationship mentions

spoor

Early 19th century, from Afrikaans spoor, from Dutch spoor (“track”). Akin to Old English and Old Norse spor (whence Danish spor), and German Spur, all from Proto-Germanic *spurą. Compare spurn.

1 source section · 6 relationship mentions

spore

From New Latin spora, from Ancient Greek σπορά (sporá, “seed”), related to σπόρος (spóros, “sowing”) and σπείρω (speírō, “to sow”). Related to English spread).

2 source sections · 6 relationship mentions

spork

Blend of spoon + fork; originally a trademark. Doublet of fpoon.

1 source section · 2 relationship mentions

sport

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ ▲ Proto-Indo-European *trísinflu. Proto-Indo-European *d(w)is- Proto-Italic *dis- Latin dis- Old French des- Proto-Indo-European *per- Proto-Indo-European *-téh₂ Proto-Indo-Europ

2 source sections · 20 relationship mentions

spot

From Middle English spot, spotte, partially from Middle Dutch spotte (“spot, speck”), and partially merging with Middle English splot, from Old English splott (“spot, plot of land”), from Proto-West Germanic *splott, fro

2 source sections · 22 relationship mentions

spout

From Middle English spouten, from Middle Dutch spoiten, spouten (> Dutch spuiten (“to spout”)), from Old Dutch *spūten, *spīuten, *spīwetten, from Proto-West Germanic *spīwattjan, from Proto-Germanic *spīwatjaną. Compare

1 source section · 7 relationship mentions

spow

Pseudoword, coined ex nihilo by American psycholinguist Jean Berko Gleason in the 1950s as a word that children taking the test would not have heard before. Probably influenced by spout

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions

spox

Modification of the first syllable of spokesman or spokesperson.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

sprag

See spray (“a branch”).

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

sprat

From Middle English sprotte, from Old English sprot. Older source is unknown. Cognate with German Sprotte, Dutch sprot. Compare sprout.

1 source section · 4 relationship mentions

spray

From Middle Dutch sprāien, sprayen, spraeyen (“to spray, sprinkle, spread”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *sprēwijaną (“to spray, sprinkle”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)per- (“to sow, scatter”). Cognate with Middle H

3 source sections · 15 relationship mentions

spree

Unknown. According to Douglas Harper’s Online Etymological Dictionary, “a word of uncertain origin. Perhaps [Barnhart] an alteration of French esprit (“lively wit”) (see esprit). According to Klein, Irish spré seems to b

1 source section · 6 relationship mentions

sprig

From Middle English sprig, sprigge, of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Middle Low German sprik, spricke (“a dry, easily broken twig that has fallen from a tree; sprig”). Compare also dialectal English sprag (“sprig, twig”

1 source section · 5 relationship mentions

sprit

From Middle English sprete, from Old English sprēot (“pole, pike, spear”), from Proto-Germanic *spreut, related to Proto-West Germanic *sprutō (“shoot, sprout”). Cognate with West Frisian spriet (“sprit, spoke”), Dutch s

2 source sections · 7 relationship mentions

sprog

1940s, originally service slang. Perhaps from obsolete sprag (“lively young man”), of unknown origin.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

sprue

From Dutch spruw, sprouw. First described by William Hillary.

2 source sections · 1 relationship mention · brief record

sprug

Compare dialectal English sprug up (“dress neatly”), sprag (“prop”, verb)/sprag (“lively”, adjective).

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spry

From British dialectal sprey, from Old Norse sprækr (“nimble, lively”) from Proto-Germanic *sprēkiz (“lively”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)preg- (“to strew, jerk, sprinkle, scatter”). Cognate with Icelandic sprækur (“l

1 source section · 6 relationship mentions

spud

From Middle English spudde (“small knife”). Origin unknown; probably related to Danish spyd, Old Norse spjót (“spear”), German Spieß (“spear; spike; skewer”). Compare English spit (“sharp, pointed rod”). The use of the t

1 source section · 5 relationship mentions

spug

Apparently an alteration of sprug, spurg.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spule

Either: * A variant of spauld, spaul (“shoulder”). * Unrelated to spauld, and of obscure origin.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spume

From Middle English spume, from Old French espume, from Latin spūma.

1 source section · 4 relationship mentions

spumy

Etymology tree English spume Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English spumy From spume + -y.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions

spunk

1530, blend of spark + funk (obsolete, “spark”). Funk (“spark, touchwood”) is from Middle English funke, fonke (“spark”), from Old English *funca (“spark”), from Proto-West Germanic *funkō, from Proto-Germanic *funkô (“s

2 source sections · 22 relationship mentions

spur

From Middle English spure, spore, from Old English spora, spura, from Proto-West Germanic *spurō, from Proto-Germanic *spurô, from Proto-Indo-European *sperH- (“to kick”).

3 source sections · 5 relationship mentions

spurn

From Middle English spurnen, spornen, from Old English spurnan (“to strike against, kick, spurn, reject; stumble”), from Proto-Germanic *spurnaną (“to tread, kick, knock out”), from Proto-Indo-European *sperH-. Cognate w

1 source section · 9 relationship mentions

spurt

From earlier spirt, sprit (“to sprout”), from Middle English sprytten, from Old English spryttan, from Proto-West Germanic *spruttjan, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(s)per- (“to strew, sow, sprinkle”).

3 source sections · 4 relationship mentions

sput

Compare spud

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

spy

From Middle English spien, aphetic variant of earlier espien (“to espy”), from Old French espier (“to spy”), from Frankish *spehōn (“to spy”), from Proto-Germanic *spehōną (“to see, look”), from Proto-Indo-European *speḱ

2 source sections · 22 relationship mentions

sqrk

Imitative; alteration of squeak.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

sqrky

Etymology tree English sqrk Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English sqrky From sqrk + -y.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions

squab

Unknown. Possibly related to dialectal Swedish skvabb (“fatty, flabby”). First attested in the 17th century.

1 source section · 1 relationship mention · brief record

squad

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *kʷetwṓr Proto-Italic *kʷettwōr Latin quattuor ▲ Latin quadrus Latin quadrōbf.? Latin quadrus Vulgar Latin *exquadrō Italian squadraredeverb. Italian squadra French escouadebor. English

3 source sections · 6 relationship mentions

squam

Shortened from Annisquam, name of a village on the coast of Massachusetts.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

squat

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁éǵʰ Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₁éǵʰs Proto-Italic *eks Latin ex Latin ex- Old French es- Proto-Indo-European *ḱe? Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-

3 source sections · 7 relationship mentions

squaw

From Massachusett squàw (“woman”), from Proto-Algonquian *eθkwe·wa (“(young) woman”). Cognate with Abenaki -skwa (“female, wife”), Mohegan-Pequot sqá, Cree iskwew / ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ (iskeyw, “woman”), Ojibwe ikwe (“woman”). In the

1 source section · 6 relationship mentions

squee

Imitative.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

squib

Possibly imitative of a small explosion.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

squid

Unknown. Perhaps a sailors' alteration of squirt.

3 source sections · 3 relationship mentions

squit

Possibly related to squirt (“small child”); from 19th c.

3 source sections · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

sqush

Onomatopoeic variant of squash or squish.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

srat

Influenced by frat.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

srsly

A shortening of seriously by removing the vowels, as is common on IRC or texting.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

srub

From shrub.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

ssaza

Borrowed from Luganda essaza.

1 source section · 1 relationship mention · brief record

ssh

Abbreviation of secure shell.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

st

Imitative. Compare hist.

2 source sections · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

stab

First attested in Scottish English (compare Scots stob, stobbe, stabb (“a pointed stick or stake; a thrust with a pointed weapon”)), from Middle English stabbe (“a stab”), probably a variant of Middle English stob, stub,

2 source sections · 7 relationship mentions

stack

From Middle English stack, stacke, stakke, stak, from Old Norse stakkr (“a barn; haystack; heap; pile”), from Proto-Germanic *stakkaz (“a barn; rick; haystack”). The data structure sense is a calque of Dutch stapel, intr

1 source section · 9 relationship mentions

stad

From Afrikaans and Dutch stad (“city, town”), from Middle Dutch stat, from Old Dutch stad, from Proto-Germanic *stadiz (“place”), from Proto-Indo-European *stéh₂tis (“standing, position”). Doublet of stead.

1 source section · 7 relationship mentions

stade

From Latin stadium, from Ancient Greek στάδιον (stádion), a 600-foot racetrack, a distance of 600 Greek feet. Cognate with French stade. Doublet of stadium, stadion, and estadio.

5 source sections · 17 relationship mentions

staff

From Middle English staf, from Old English stæf (“letter of the alphabet”), from Proto-West Germanic *stab, from Proto-Germanic *stabaz. Cognate with Dutch staf, German Stab, Danish stav, Swedish stav. Sense of "group of

2 source sections · 18 relationship mentions

stag

From Middle English stagge, steg, from Old English stagga, stacga (“a stag”) and possibly Old Norse steggi, steggr (“a male animal”), both from Proto-Germanic *staggijô, *staggijaz (“male, male deer, porcupine”), probabl

1 source section · 7 relationship mentions

stage

From Middle English stage, from Old French estage (“dwelling, residence; position, situation, condition”), from Old French ester (“to be standing, be located”). Cognate with Old English stæþþan (“to make staid, stay”), O

3 source sections · 17 relationship mentions

stagy

Etymology tree English stag(e) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English stagy From stag(e) + -y.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions

staid

From an obsolete spelling of stayed, the past participle of stay, used as an adjective.

1 source section · 1 relationship mention · brief record

stain

From Middle English steinen, steynen (“to stain, colour, paint”), of North Germanic origin, from Old Norse steina (“to stain, colour, paint”), from steinn (“stone, mineral blue, colour, stain”), from Proto-Norse ᛊᛏᚨᛁᚾᚨᛉ

1 source section · 6 relationship mentions

staio

From Italian staio.

1 source section · 1 relationship mention · brief record

stair

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *steygʰ- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *stéygʰeti Proto-Germanic *stīganą Proto-Indo-European *-yeti Proto-Indo-European *-éyeti Proto-Germanic *-janą Proto-Germanic *st

1 source section · 10 relationship mentions

staka

Transliteration of Greek στάκα (stáka).

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

stake

From Middle English stake, from Old English staca (“pin, tack, stake”), from Proto-West Germanic *stakō, from Proto-Germanic *stakô (“stake”), from Proto-Indo-European *stog-, *steg- (“stake”). Cognate with Scots stak, s

1 source section · 13 relationship mentions

stale

From Middle English stale, from Old French estal (“fixed position, place”), but probably originally from Proto-Germanic *stāną (“to stand”): compare West Flemish stel in the same sense for ‘beer’ and ‘urine’.

5 source sections · 24 relationship mentions

stalk

From Middle English stalke, stelke, stalk, perhaps from Old English *stealc, *stielc, *stealuc, from Proto-West Germanic *staluk, *stalik, from Proto-Germanic *stalukaz, *stalikaz, diminutive of Proto-Germanic *stalô, *s

3 source sections · 27 relationship mentions

stall

From Middle English stall, stalle, from Old English steall (“standing place, position”), from Proto-Germanic *stallaz, from Proto-Indo-European *stel- (“to place, put, post, stand”). Cognate with French étal, Italian sta

2 source sections · 11 relationship mentions

stam

Of unknown origin. Perhaps related to stammer.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

stame

Coined by James Frost, a Brooklyn engineer, in the 1840s.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

stamp

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *stampōną Proto-Germanic *stampijaną? Proto-West Germanic *stampijander. Old English stempan Old English *stampian Middle English stampen English stamp From Middle English stampen (“to pound

2 source sections · 24 relationship mentions

stan

From Stan (“Stanley”), after the song "Stan" by Eminem (2000), a fictitious account of the rapper's encounter with an overly obsessive fan named Stan. Sometimes assumed to be a blend of stalker + fan, but perhaps simply

2 source sections · 2 relationship mentions

stand

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *steh₂-der. Proto-Germanic *standaną Proto-West Germanic *standan Old English standan Middle English stonden English stand From Middle English stonden, standen (verb) and stand, stond (

3 source sections · 101 relationship mentions

stane

From Northern Middle English stan, stane, from Old English stān (“stone”). More at stone.

1 source section · 1 relationship mention · brief record

stang

Inherited from Middle English stang, stong, from Old Norse stǫng, from Proto-Germanic *stangiz, *stangō (“bar, rod”), from Proto-Indo-European *stengʰ-, *stegʰ- (“to stick, sting, prick, be stiff”).

2 source sections · 6 relationship mentions

stank

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

4 source sections · 5 relationship mentions

staph

Shortening of staphylococcus.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

star

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂eHs- Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr Proto-Germanic *sternǭ Proto-West Germanic *sternō Proto-West Germanic *sterrō Old English steorra Middle English sterre En

2 source sections · 114 relationship mentions

stare

From Middle English staren, from Old English starian (“to stare”), from Proto-West Germanic *starēn, from Proto-Germanic *starjaną, *starāną (“to be fixed, be rigid”), from Proto-Indo-European *ster-. Cognate with Dutch

2 source sections · 18 relationship mentions

stark

From Middle English stark, starc, from Old English stearc, starc (“stiff, rigid, unyielding, obstinate, hard, strong, severe, violent”), from Proto-West Germanic *stark, from Proto-Germanic *starkuz (“stiff, strong”), fr

2 source sections · 18 relationship mentions

starn

From Middle English sterne, starn, From Old Norse stjarna, from Proto-Germanic *sternǭ (“star”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr (“star”). Doublet of star.

2 source sections · 6 relationship mentions

starr

From Late Latin starrum, from Hebrew שְׁטָר (šĕṭār).

1 source section · 1 relationship mention · brief record

start

Etymology tree Proto-West Germanic *sturtijan Old English styrtan Middle English stertendeverb. Middle English stert English start From Middle English stert, from the verb sterten (“to start, startle”). See below.

5 source sections · 34 relationship mentions

stary

Etymology tree English stare Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English stary From stare + -y.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions

stash

Unknown. Perhaps a blend of stick + cache or stow + cache.

2 source sections · 3 relationship mentions

stat

Borrowed from Latin statim (“immediately”).

4 source sections · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

state

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Indo-European *stéh₂-tu-s ~ *sth₂-téw-s Proto-Italic *status Latin statuslbor. Old French estatbor. Middle English stat English state From Middle

2 source sections · 26 relationship mentions

stau

From s- + tau.

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

stave

Back-formation from staves, the plural of staff.

1 source section · 1 relationship mention · brief record

stay

From Middle English steyen, staien, from Old French estayer, estaier (“to fix, prop up, support, stay”), from estaye, estaie (“a prop, stay”), from Middle Dutch staeye (“a prop, stay”), a contracted form of staede, stade

4 source sections · 40 relationship mentions

stby

Abbreviation of standby

1 source section · 0 relationship mentions · brief record

stead

From Middle English sted, stede (noun) and steden (verb), from Old English stede, from Proto-Germanic *stadiz (“place”), from Proto-Indo-European *stéh₂tis (“standing, location”). Doublet of stad. cognates and related te

2 source sections · 24 relationship mentions

steak

From Middle English steike, from Old Norse steik (“roast; meat roasted on a stick”). The verb is either from the noun or from steikja (“to roast”). The modern pronunciation shows an irregular change of Early Modern Engli

2 source sections · 4 relationship mentions

steal

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *stelaną Proto-West Germanic *stelan Old English stelan Middle English stelen English steal Inherited from Middle English stelen, from Old English stelan, from Proto-West Germanic *stelan, f

1 source section · 18 relationship mentions

steam

From Middle English steem, stem, from Old English stēam (“steam, hot exhalation, hot breath; that which emits vapour; blood”), from Proto-Germanic *staumaz (“steam, vapour, breath”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewh₂- (“t

2 source sections · 18 relationship mentions

stean

From Middle English stene (“waterpot”), from Old English stǣna (“stone jug, a stean, a pot of stone or earth”) and Old English stǣne (“pitcher, jug”), from Proto-West Germanic *stainijā, from Proto-Germanic *stainijǭ (“s

3 source sections · 15 relationship mentions

steck

From Middle English stic, from Middle Dutch stucke, sticke, from Old Dutch *stukki, *stikki, from Proto-West Germanic *stukkī, from Proto-Germanic *stukkiją (“piece”). Cognate with Danish stykke (“piece”), Dutch stuk (“p

1 source section · 14 relationship mentions

sted

From Middle English sted, from Old English stede (“place, spot, locality”).

1 source section · 2 relationship mentions

stee

From Middle English stee, ste, sty, stie, sti, stegh, stiȝe (“ladder”), from Old Norse stegi, stigi (“ladder, step, steep ascent”), from Proto-Germanic *stigiz (“an ascent, climb”). Cognate with Old English stiġe (“ascen

1 source section · 5 relationship mentions

steed

Inherited from Middle English stede (“steed”), from Old English stēda (“stallion, stud”), from Proto-West Germanic *stōdijō; (compare Old Dutch stoti (“herd of horses”), Old High German stuot (“herd of horses”)).

1 source section · 6 relationship mentions

steek

From Scots steek, from Middle English steke (“to enclose”) and Middle Dutch steken (“to stitch”). Noun from Scots steek (“stitch”), from Middle Dutch steek (“stitch”). More at stick, stitch.

1 source section · 4 relationship mentions

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These source reports extend Wiktionary’s work through Kaikki / Wiktextract, with attribution and visible extraction limits. A relationship mentioned in a source is not automatically the immediate parent of a word. Newly written research analyses cite their own references. The reviewed graph has a separate evidence contract and counter.

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