flicker etymology

Etymology:

  • Late Middle English (as a noun meaning "a flutter or tremor"): from Middle Dutch flicken ("to flutter"), from Proto-West Germanic flikkerōn ("to flicker").
  • Early 16th century (as a verb): from the noun.

Meaning and Origin:

Noun:

  • A brief, irregular variation in brightness or intensity, especially of light.
  • A brief, quick movement or vibration.

Verb (intransitive):

  • To vary in brightness or intensity in a brief, irregular manner.
  • To move or vibrate quickly and irregularly.

The word "flicker" originated from the Proto-West Germanic root flikkerōn, which means "to flicker." This root is also found in other Germanic languages, such as German flackern and Dutch flikkeren. The word was first used in English in the late Middle English period, around the 15th century. It was initially used as a noun to refer to a flutter or tremor. In the early 16th century, it began to be used as a verb to describe the act of flickering.

The word "flicker" is often used to describe the behavior of light, such as the flickering of a flame or the flickering of a lightbulb. It can also be used to describe other types of brief, irregular movements or vibrations, such as the flickering of leaves in the wind or the flickering of a hummingbird's wings.

flicker relate terms

  • aflicker

    Etymology Origin Middle English aflikiren Language of origin Old English Root fli

  • flicker

    Etymology Late Middle English as a noun meaning a flutter or tremor from Middle Du

  • flick

    Etymology The word flick is likely derived from the Dutch flik meaning a sudden move

  • flicker

    Etymology Late Middle English as a noun meaning a flutter or tremor from Middle Du

  • clamber

    Etymology The word clamber comes from the Middle English word clambren which means

  • clatter

    Etymology Old English claterian meaning to rattle clatter Imitative onomatopoeia

  • flicker

    Etymology Late Middle English as a noun meaning a flutter or tremor from Middle Du

  • glitter

    Etymology The word glitter derives from the Old Norse word glitra meaning to shine

  • quaver

    Etymology The word quaver derives from the Middle English word quave which is itself

  • shimmer

    Etymology The word shimmer is derived from the following sources Middle English sh

  • slumber

    Etymology Middle English slumberen from Old English slumerian Germanic root slum

  • stutter

    Etymology and Origin The word stutter is derived from the Middle English word stutten

  • wander

    Etymology Old English wanderian from Proto Germanic wandrjaną to wander Relate