doll etymology

Etymology:

  • Old English: dōlle, dulle
  • Proto-Germanic: *dukkǭ
  • Proto-Indo-European: *dʰug- (to bend, to form)

Meaning:

  • A small figure made of wood, cloth, or other materials, typically representing a human or animal and used as a toy.

Origin:

The origin of the word "doll" dates back to the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰug-, which means "to bend" or "to form." This root also gives rise to words such as "dough" and "dog."

In Old English, the word "dōlle" was used to refer to a toy figure typically made from wood or cloth. This word is believed to have been influenced by the Proto-Germanic term *dukkǭ, which had a similar meaning.

Over time, the word "doll" came to be used more broadly to refer to any small figure that resembled a human or animal, regardless of its material composition. Dolls have been used for centuries for entertainment, education, and ritual purposes in cultures around the world.

doll relate terms

  • Dorothy

    Etymology The name Dorothy is derived from the Greek name Δωροθεα Dorothea whi

  • dollhouse

    Etymology The word dollhouse is a compound of two words Doll Derived from the Ol

  • doll

    Etymology Old English dōlle dulle Proto Germanic dukkǭ Proto Indo European dʰu

  • house

    Etymology The word house has an Indo European root h₁eu̯s This root also gave r

  • dolly

    Etymology The word dolly has several etymological origins From Celtic doli meani

  • dame

    Etymology The word dame comes from Middle English dame which in turn comes from Old

  • raggedy

    Etymology The word raggedy is of unknown origin It is speculated to be derived from

  • pupil

    Etymology The word pupil comes from the Latin word pupilla which originally meant t

  • dock

    Etymology of Dock The word dock has several etymological origins Anglo Saxon do

  • bird

    Etymology The word bird has its roots in Old English where it was spelled bridd or

  • Lloyd

    Etymology The name Lloyd is of Welsh origin It is derived from the Welsh word llwyd

  • made

    Etymology make verb Old English macian to compose or construct from Proto Germani