bolster etymology

Etymology

The word "bolster" comes from the Old English word "bolster," which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "bulstra-," meaning "cushion, pillow." The Proto-Germanic word is thought to be derived from the Indo-European root "bhel-," meaning "to swell."

Meaning

A bolster is a long, narrow pillow or cushion that is used for support or comfort. Bolsters can be used for a variety of purposes, such as:

  • To support the head, neck, or back while sleeping
  • To elevate the legs or arms
  • To provide support for pregnant women or people with back pain
  • To create a more comfortable sitting or reclining position

Origin

Bolsters have been used for centuries, and they have been found in a variety of cultures around the world. The earliest known bolsters were found in ancient Egypt, and they were made of straw or reeds. Bolsters were also used in ancient Greece and Rome, and they were often made of wool or feathers. In the Middle Ages, bolsters were commonly used in Europe, and they were often made of down or silk. Today, bolsters are still used in many cultures around the world, and they are made from a variety of materials, including cotton, foam, and memory foam.

bolster relate terms

  • bolster

    Etymology The word bolster comes from the Old English word bolster which is derived

  • bale

    Etymology The word bale is derived from the Middle English word bal which itself com

  • baleen

    Etymology The word baleen is derived from the Old French word baleine which comes f

  • ball

    Etymology French balle Latin palla ball Meaning and Origin The word ball come

  • balloon

    Etymology The word balloon originates from the Italian word ballone which means lar

  • ballot

    Etymology French ballotte from Italian ballota a little ball Latin balleus a ball

  • bold

    Etymology From Middle English bold bolde from Old English beald bald bold brave

  • bole

    Etymology and Origin The word bole is derived from the Middle English word bole whi

  • boll

    Etymology The word boll has multiple etymological origins Middle English bolle

  • bollocks

    Etymology The origin of the word bollocks is uncertain but there are several theories

  • bollix

    Etymology Blend of boll nonsense bollocks testicles Meaning Nonsense ru

  • boulder

    Etymology Old English bolder a large stone Proto Germanic bulaz stone rock Pr

  • boulevard

    Etymology French boulevard Old French bolvert Medieval Latin bulvercum meaning ram

  • bowl

    Etymology The word bowl comes from the Middle English word bolle which is derived fr

  • bulk

    Etymology The word bulk has multiple etymological origins Old English bulc mean

  • bull

    Etymology The word bull comes from the Middle English word bulle which in turn came

  • bullock

    Etymology Middle English buluc bouloc Old English buluc Proto Germanic buluką Pro

  • bulwark

    Etymology The word bulwark comes from the Dutch word bolwerck which is derived from

  • follicle

    Etymology The word follicle comes from the Latin word folliculus meaning little bag

  • folly

    Etymology The word folly is derived from the Old French word folie which itself is d

  • foosball

    Etymology Foosball is a term used in North America to describe a table game played wi

  • full

    Etymology Sanskrit pratipaksha prati against paksha side Meaning Opponen

  • pall mall

    Etymology Pall From Middle English palle or pelle meaning a large cloak or a c

  • bellows

    Etymology Old English bellowan from Proto Germanic balwanoz Proto Indo European bʰe

  • belly

    Etymology The word belly comes from the Old English word belig which itself has mul

  • bilge

    Etymology Old Norse bilgi bilgger Meaning Noun Wisdom knowledge insight Verb

  • billow

    Etymology Middle English bellen bullen Old English bellan bullon Proto Germanic b

  • bolster

    Etymology The word bolster comes from the Old English word bolster which is derived

  • budget

    Etymology Middle English bouget from Anglo Norman bougette meaning a leather ba

  • bulge

    Etymology of Bulge The word bulge originates from the Middle English word bolgen

  • Excalibur

    Etymology The name Excalibur is derived from the Old Welsh language where it appears a

  • Firbolgs

    Etymology The name Firbolg comes from the Old Irish words fir man and bolg bag

  • affluent

    Etymology Late Middle English as an adverb from French affluent present participle

  • bloat

    Etymology The word bloat comes from the Middle English word bloten which means to s

  • confluence

    Etymology The word confluence derives from the Latin confluentia which itself comes

  • effluent

    Etymology Late 16th century as an adjective meaning flowing out from Latin effluen

  • effluvium

    Etymology Latin effluvium an outflow exhalation vapor Late Latin effluvia an ou

  • efflux

    Etymology Latin effluxus meaning a flowing out Root effluere meaning to flow out

  • fluctuate

    Etymology Fluctuate comes from the Latin word fluctuare which means to toss about

  • fluent

    Etymology Origin Latin fluens present participle of fluere to flow Meaning Th

  • fluid

    Etymology The word fluid comes from the Latin word fluere meaning to flow or to

  • flume

    Etymology The word flume has several possible etymologies Latin From flumen mea

  • fluor

    Etymology Fluorine comes from the Latin word fluere which means to flow Meaning

  • fluorescence

    Etymology The term fluorescence is derived from the Latin word fluoresco which means

  • fluoride

    Etymology Fluoride is derived from the Latin word fluor which means to flow Meanin

  • fluoro

    Etymology Ancient Greek φθορά phtora destruction decay Latin fluor flux

  • flush

    Etymology The word flush has two distinct etymologies depending on its meaning 1 T

  • fluvial

    Etymology of Fluvial The word fluvial is derived from the Latin word fluvius which

  • flux

    Etymology The word flux is derived from the Latin word fluxus meaning a flowing

  • influence

    Etymology Middle English influence from Old French influence from Late Latin influ

  • influenza

    Etymology The word influenza is derived from the Italian word influenza which means

  • influx

    Etymology The word influx comes from the Latin word influxus which means a flowing

  • mellifluous

    Etymology mell Latin honey fluus Latin flowing Meaning Sweetly flowing or s

  • phloem

    Etymology Greek phloios φλοιός meaning bark Meaning Phloem refers to t

  • reflux

    Etymology The word reflux is derived from the Latin word refluere which means to fl

  • superfluous

    Etymology The word superfluous is derived from the Latin word superfluus which means

  • horse

    Etymology The word horse is derived from the Proto Indo European PIE root h₃éḱ

  • shore

    Etymology The word shore comes from the Middle English word schore which in turn is

  • pillow

    Etymology Middle English pilewe Old English pyle Proto Germanic pulaiwa Proto Indo

  • reinforce

    Etymology Latin re back again in into fortis strong Meaning To

  • prop

    Etymology Prop is derived from the Late Latin word proprius meaning one s own pec

  • fill

    Etymology Old English fyllan Proto Germanic fulljan Proto Indo European pleh₂

  • long

    Etymology The word long comes from the Proto Indo European root leng meaning to stre

  • rest

    Etymology The word rest originates from the Old English word restan which means to