runaway etymology

Etymology:

  • Late Middle English (as a noun): from run (v.) + away (adv.). The verb sense dates from the early 19th century.

Meaning:

  1. (of a person, especially a young person) To leave home or their usual place of residence without permission or against the wishes of those in charge.
  2. (of a horse, animal, or vehicle) To escape from control and move rapidly in an uncontrolled manner.
  3. (of a ball, projectile, or similar object) To travel in a fast and unpredictable direction.

Origin:

The term "runaway" emerged in the late Middle English period. Its origins lie in the combination of two words: "run," which denotes swift movement, and "away," which implies a direction away from a specific location or authority.

Initially, "runaway" primarily referred to individuals, particularly young people, who had left their homes or caregivers without authorization. Over time, the term expanded to encompass a broader range of entities, including animals and inanimate objects, that escaped from control and exhibited uncontrolled movement.

runaway relate terms

  • away

    Etymology The word away is derived from the Old English word awæg which is a compo

  • hideaway

    Etymology The word hideaway is a compound word derived from two Old English words Hi

  • hide

  • away

    Etymology The word away is derived from the Old English word awæg which is a compo

  • runaway

    Etymology Late Middle English as a noun from run v away adv The verb sense

  • stowaway

    Etymology Middle English stowey person stowed away on board a ship Old Norse stǫ

  • fugitive

    Etymology From Middle English fugityf fugitive runaway from Latin fugitivus fugiti

  • bolt

    Etymology The word bolt comes from the Old English word bolt which means a short t

  • grapevine

  • triumph

    Triumph Etymology Latin triumphus triumphal procession from Greek θρίαμβο

  • victory

    Etymology Middle English victorie from Anglo Norman victorie from Old French vittorie

  • mortal

    Etymology Latin mortalis meaning subject to death Proto Indo European mrtós mea

  • person

    Etymology Latin persona meaning mask or character in a play Meaning An indiv

  • soul

    Etymology The word soul traces its origins to the Proto Indo European root h₂enh₂

  • individual

    Etymology from Latin individuum an individual thing or being from in not

  • somebody

    Etymology Some indefinite pronoun Middle English sum or som from Old English