Etymology
Meaning and Origin
The word "flounder" originally referred to a flatfish, specifically the European flounder (Platichthys flesus). The term is onomatopoetic, derived from the Middle English flundre, which imitates the flapping sound made by the fish as it swims.
The Proto-Indo-European root *plōn-dʰro- (meaning "flat fish") also gives rise to the following cognates:
Over time, the meaning of "flounder" has expanded to include any of several species of flatfish found in various parts of the world. These fish are characterized by their flat, oval bodies, large eyes on one side of the head, and bottom-dwelling habits.
In English, "flounder" also has a figurative meaning, referring to someone who is clumsy or awkward, particularly when walking or moving. This usage likely derives from the fish's habit of lying flat on the seafloor and flapping its fins in an uncoordinated manner.
Etymology Middle English foundour from Anglo Norman French fundour from Latin fundā
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Etymology French flan Latin fladonem flat cake Meaning A custard tart made with
Etymology Old English flaett level ground plain Proto Germanic flatą flat pl
Etymology Old English flaett level ground plain Proto Germanic flatą flat pl
Etymology The word flatter comes from the Old French word flater which itself derive
Etymology Middle English flundre Old English flæȝndre flounder also a place name Pr
Etymology Latin implantāre to insert plant in Im in into plantare to
Etymology The word piazza originates from the Italian word piazza which itself deriv
Etymology The word place originates from the Latin word platea which means broad
Etymology The word plaice comes from the Latin word platessa meaning flatfish M
Etymology The word plane has its origins in the Latin word planus which means flat
Etymology The word plant comes from the Latin word planta which means sole of the f
Etymology The word plantain derives from the Latin word Plantago which is the genus
Etymology The word plantar comes from the Latin word planta meaning the sole of the
Etymology Old French plantation from Latin plantātiō from plantāre to plant
Etymology Latin planta sole of the foot gradus step Meaning Animals that w
Etymology The word plat comes from the Middle French word plat meaning flat or sh
Etymology The word plate comes from the Old French word plate which is derived from
Etymology of Plateau The word plateau comes from the French word plateau meaning
Etymology The word platen has two possible etymologies From the Greek platos flat
Etymology The word platform originates from the Old French term plateforme which in
Etymology Origin Late Latin platīnum 1735 from Spanish platina 1557 diminutive o
Etymology Latin plātitūdō plātitudinis from plātus flat broad wide French
Etymology The term Plattdeutsch is derived from Low German where platt means flat
Etymology Middle English plater platere from Old French plate from Late Latin pla
Etymology The word platypus is derived from the Greek words platys meaning flat
Etymology Plaza is derived from the Spanish word plaza which in turn is derived from
Etymology Derived from Latin supplantare meaning to trip up undermine Sup mea
Etymology of Transplant The word transplant comes from the Latin words trans mean
Etymology Middle English stagren staggeren staggern from Old English stagrian sta
Etymology The word scad comes from the Middle English word scadde meaning a small
Etymology From Middle English fighten fighte from Old English feohtan to fight f
Etymology The word walk derives from the Proto Germanic word walkaną meaning to roll
Etymology From Middle English struglen from Old English strugolian from Proto West Ge
Etymology The word bingo is thought to have originated from the French word bingot wh
Etymology The word partner is derived from the Middle French word partenaire which i
Etymology The word method comes from the Greek word methodos which means way to a g
