nimble etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: nimbel, from Old English nimel, nimhle
  • Germanic root: *nemonan, meaning "to take, to seize"

Meaning:

  • Quick and agile in movement
  • Graceful and deft
  • Clever and resourceful
  • Mentally alert and responsive

Origin:

The word "nimble" has its origins in the Proto-Germanic word *nemonan, which meant "to take, to seize." This root is also found in the English words "nehmen" (German), "nemen" (Dutch), and "ta" (Swedish), all of which share the sense of "taking" or "grasping." Over time, the meaning of *nemonan shifted from "to take" to "to move quickly and easily," giving rise to the English word "nimble."

In the 14th century, "nimble" began to be used figuratively to describe mental agility and quick wit. By the 16th century, it had gained its current meaning of "quick, agile, and graceful."

nimble relate terms

  • limb

    Etymology The word limb comes from the Old English word lim which originally meant

  • limb

    Etymology The word limb comes from the Old English word lim which originally meant

  • take

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It seeks to trace t

  • numb

    Etymology The word numb comes from the Old English word numen meaning to be depriv

  • nimble

    Etymology Middle English nimbel from Old English nimel nimhle Germanic root nemona

  • take

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It seeks to trace t

  • thimble

    Etymology The word thimble comes from the Old English word thȳmel which means thum

  • quick

    Etymology From Latin nexus past participle of nectere to bind Meaning A connection

  • dapper

    Etymology Origin Middle English from Old French dapper neat spruce probably of

  • lumber

    Etymology The word lumber is derived from the Middle English word lomber which in t

  • strenuous

    Etymology Latin strenuus meaning active vigorous energetic Meaning Requirin

  • legerdemain

    Etymology French léger de main light of hand Latin levis light manus han

  • gravity

    Etymology The word gravity is derived from the Middle English word gravite which in

  • hypochondria

    Etymology Greek ὑποχόνδριον hupokhondrion under the cartilage Mean

  • accommodate

    Etymology Latin accommodare meaning to adjust adapt conform Root commodus m