Etymology dictionary

extra-special (adj.) — Ezra

extra-special (adj.)

1841, from extra- + special (adj.). Originally of legislative sessions, later (1880s) of certain editions of daily newspapers.

extraspection (n.)

"outward observation," 1887, from extra- + ending from introspection.

extraterrestrial (adj.)

also extra-terrestrial, "occurring or originating outside the Earth," 1812, from extra- + terrestrial. As a noun from 1956.

also extra-territoriality, "privilege customarily extended to diplomats abroad of enjoying such rights and privileges as belong to them at home," 1803, from extraterritorial (from extra- + territorial) + -ity. Same as Exterritoriality.

extravagance (n.)

1640s, "an extravagant act," from French extravagance, from Late Latin extravagantem (see extravagant). Specifically of wasteful spending from 1727. Meaning "quality of being extravagant" is from 1670s. Extravagancy, "a wandering," especially "a wandering from the usual course," is attested from c. 1600, now rare.

extravagant (adj.)

late 14c., in constituciouns extravagaunt, a term in Canon Law for papal decrees not originally included or codified in the Decretals, from Medieval Latin extravagantem (nominative extravagans), present participle of extravagari "wander outside or beyond," from Latin extra "outside of" (see extra-) + vagari "wander, roam" (see vague).

In 15c. it also could mean "rambling, irrelevant; extraordinary, unusual." Extended sense of "excessive, extreme, exceeding reasonable limits" first recorded 1590s, probably via French; that of "wasteful, lavish, exceeding prudence in expenditure" is from 1711. Related: Extravagantly. Wordsworth ("Prelude") used extravagate (v.).

extravaganza (n.)

1754 in reference to peculiar behavior, 1794 of a fantastic type of performance or writing, from Italian extravaganza, literally "an extravagance," from estravagante, from Medieval Latin extravagantem (see extravagant). Related: Extravaganzist.

extravasation (n.)

"escape of fluid into the tissues after a rupture," 1670s, from Latin extra "outside" (see extra-) + form derived from vas "vessel" (see vas (n.)). Related: Extravasate (1660s).

extraversion (n.)

1690s, "a turning out," from Medieval Latin extraversionem, from extra "outward" (see extra-) + versionem (see version). Psychological sense is from 1915; see extraverted.

extraverted (adj.)

in modern psychology, 1915, a variant of extroverted (see extrovert). Related: Extravert (n.), for which also see extrovert. There was a verb extravert in mid- to late 17c. meaning "to turn outward so as to be visible," from Latin extra "outward" + vertere "to turn."

extremely (adv.)

1530s, from extreme + -ly (2). Originally "with great severity," later more loosely, "in extreme degree" (1570s).

extremities (n.)

early 15c., "hands and feet, uttermost parts of the body," plural of extremity. Meaning "a person's last moments" is from c. 1600.

extremism (n.)

"disposition to go to extremes in doctrine or practice," 1848, from extreme + -ism.

extremeness (n.)

"quality of being extreme, tendency to extremes," 1520s; see extreme (adj.) + -ness.

extremity (n.)

late 14c., "one of two things at the extreme ends of a scale," from Old French estremite (13c.), from Latin extremitatem (nominative extremitas) "the end of a thing," from extremus "outermost;" see extreme (adj.), the etymological sense of which is better preserved in this word. Meaning "utmost point or end" is from c. 1400; meaning "limb or organ of locomotion, appendage" is from early 15c. (compare extremities). Meaning "highest degree" of anything is early 15c. Related: Extremital.

extreme (adj.)

early 15c., "outermost, farthest;" also "utter, total, in greatest degree" (opposed to moderate), from Old French extreme (13c.), from Latin extremus "outermost, utmost, farthest, last; the last part; extremity, boundary; highest or greatest degree," superlative of exterus (see exterior). In English as in Latin, not always felt as a superlative, hence more extreme, most extreme (which were condemned by Johnson). Extreme unction preserves the otherwise extinct sense of "last, latest" (15c.).

extreme (n.)

1540s, "utmost point of a thing," from extreme (adj.); originally of the end of life (compare Latin in extremis in reference to the "last stages of life"). Phrase in the extreme "in an extreme degree" attested from c. 1600. Hence extremes "extremities, opposite ends of anything" (1550s); also "extreme measures" (1709).

extremist (n.)

"one who goes to extremes, a supporter of extreme doctrines," 1840, from extreme + -ist.

extricate (v.)

"disentangle, disengage, set free," 1610s, from Latin extricatus, past participle of extricare "disentangle," figuratively "clear up, unravel," perhaps from ex "out of" (see ex-) + tricae (plural) "perplexities, hindrances," which is of unknown origin. Related: Extricated; extricating.

extrication (n.)

"act of extricating, state of being extricated; disentanglement; act or process of setting loose or free," 1640s, noun of action from extricate (v.).

extricable (adj.)

"capable of being extricated," 1620s, from extricate + -able. Related: Extricably.

extrinsic (adj.)

"not of the essence or inner nature of a thing," 1540s, from French extrinsèque, from Late Latin extrinsecus (adj.) "outer," from Latin extrinsecus (adv.) "outwardly, on the outside; from without, from abroad," from exter "outside" (from ex "out of;" see ex-) + in, suffix of locality, + secus "beside, alongside," originally "following," from PIE *sekw-os "following," suffixed form of root *sekw- (1) "to follow."

extro-

word-forming element meaning "outwards," a variant of extra- by influence of intro-.

extroversion (n.)

mid-17c., "condition of being turned inside out," noun of action from obsolete verb extrovert (v.) "to turn inside out," from extro- + Latin vertere "to turn" (from PIE root *wer- (2) "to turn, bend"). Earliest as a word in mysticism; modern use in psychology attested by 1920.

extrovert (n.)

"outgoing, overtly expressive person," 1916, extravert (spelled with -o- after 1918, by influence of introvert), from German Extravert, from extra "outside" (see extra-) + Latin vertere "to turn" (from PIE root *wer- (2) "to turn, bend"). Used (with introvert) in English by doctors and scientists in various literal senses since 1600s, but popularized in a psychological sense early 20c. by Carl Jung. Related: Extroverted.

extrude (v.)

of things, "to thrust out; force, press, or crowd out; expel," 1560s, from Latin extrudere "to thrust out, drive away," from ex "out, out of" (see ex-) + trudere "to thrust, push," from PIE *treud- "to press, push, squeeze" (see threat). Related: Extruded; extruding.

extrusion (n.)

"the act of extruding; a thrusting or driving out, expulsion," 1530s, formed as a noun of action from past-participle stem of extrudere, from ex "out, out of" (see ex-) + trudere "to thrust, push," from PIE *treud- "to press, push, squeeze" (see threat).

extrusive (adj.)

"of or pertaining to extrusion or that which has been extruded," especially in geology, of rock that has been thrust out of the earth by volcanic activity, 1816, from Latin extrus-, past-participle stem of extrudere "thrust out; drive away" (see extrusion) + -ive. Related: Extrusively.

exuberance (n.)

1630s, "an overflowing," from French exubérance (16c.), from Late Latin exuberantia "superabundance," abstract noun from exuberare "be abundant, grow luxuriously" (see exuberant). Usually figurative in English, especially of joy, happiness, etc. Exuberancy attested from 1610s.

exuberant (adj.)

mid-15c., "over-abundant," from Latin exuberantem (nominative exuberans) "superfluous; extraordinary," present participle of exuberare "be abundant, grow luxuriously," from ex, here probably "thoroughly" (see ex-), + uberare "be fruitful," related to uber "udder," from PIE root *eue-dh-r- (see udder). From 1510s as "growing luxuriantly;" figurative use, of affections, joyous emotions, etc., is by 1640s. Related: Exuberantly; exuberate; exuberating.

exude (v.)

1570s (intransitive), "to ooze from a body by a natural or abnormal discharge, be secreted," as juice or gum from a tree, pus from a wound, or serous fluid from a blister, from Latin exudare/exsudare "ooze out like sweat," from ex "out, out of" (see ex-) + sudare "to sweat," from sudor "sweat" (see sweat (v.)). Transitive sense "to discharge slowly through the pores, give out gradually as moisture" is by 1755. Related: Exuded; exudes; exuding.

exudation (n.)

1610s, "process of oozing out;" 1620s, "that which is exuded," from Late Latin exudationem/exsudationem, noun of action from neuter past participle of exudere/exsudere "to ooze, exude" (see exude). Related: Exudate (n.).

exultant (adj.)

"expressing exultation, rejoicing exceedingly or triumphantly," 1650s, from Latin exultantem/exsultantem (nominative exultans/exsultans) "boastful, vainglorious," present participle of exultare/exsultare (see exult). Related: Exultantly.

exultation (n.)

"act of exulting, great gladness, triumphant delight," late 14c., exultacioun, from Old French exultacion "joyousness, exultation" and directly from Latin exultationem/exsultationem "a leaping for joy, exultation," noun of action from past-participle stem of exultare/exsultare (see exult). The notion is of leaping or dancing for joy. An Old English word for it was heahbliss "high bliss."

exult (v.)

1560s, "to leap up;" 1590s, "to rejoice, triumph," from French exulter, from Latin exultare/exsultare "rejoice exceedingly, revel, vaunt, boast;" literally "leap about, leap up," frequentative of exsilire "to leap up," from ex "out" (see ex-) + salire "to leap" (see salient (adj.)). The notion is of leaping or dancing for joy. Related: Exulted; exulting.

exurb (n.)

"the outer, prosperous ring of the suburbs," 1955, American English, from exurban (adj.), by 1838 (it seems to have arisen in the writings of the reform movement opposed to urban cemeteries), from ex- + urban, on model of suburban. Related: Exurbanite; exurbia.

exuvial (adj.)

"pertaining to or of the nature of exuviae," 1630s; see exuviae + -al (1).

exuviae (n.)

"cast-off skins, shells, or other coverings of animals," 1650s, Latin, literally "that which is stripped off," hence "slough, skin," also "clothing, equipment, arms, booty, spoils," from stem of exuere "to doff," from ex "off" (see ex-) + from PIE root *eu- "to dress" (also found in Latin induere "to dress," reduvia "fragment").

eye (n.)

c. 1200, from Old English ege (Mercian), eage (West Saxon) "eye; region around the eye; apperture, hole," from Proto-Germanic *augon (source also of Old Saxon aga, Old Frisian age, Old Norse auga, Swedish öga, Danish øie, Middle Dutch oghe, Dutch oog, Old High German ouga, German Auge, Gothic augo "eye"). Apparently the Germanic form evolved irregularly from PIE root *okw- "to see."

Until late 14c. the English plural was in -an, hence modern dialectal plural een, ene. Of potatoes from 1670s. Of peacock feathers from late 14c. As a loop used with a hook in fastening (clothes, etc.) from 1590s. The eye of a needle was in Old English. As "the center of revolution" of anything from 1760. Nautical in the wind's eye "in the direction of the wind" is from 1560s.

To see eye to eye is from Isaiah lii.8. Eye contact attested from 1953. To have (or keep) an eye on "keep under supervision" is attested from early 15c. To have eyes for "be interested in or attracted to" is from 1736; make eyes at in the romance sense is from 1837. Eye-biter was an old name for "a sort of witch who bewitches with the eyes."

eyeful (n.)

also eye-ful, "good look at," 1796, originally in ornamental gardening, from eye (n.) + -ful.

eye (v.)

early 15c., "cause to see;" 1560s, "behold, observe," from eye (n.). Related: Eyed; eyeing.

eyeball (n.)

also eye-ball, "the ball or globe of the eye," so called for its shape, 1580s, from eye (n.) + ball (n.1), which is attested from c. 1400 in the sense "spherical structure of the eye." As a verb, 1901, American English slang. Related: Eyeballed; eyeballing.

eyebrow (n.)

also eye-brow, early 15c., from eye (n.) + brow (q.v.; Old English eagbræw meant "eyelid").

eye-candy (n.)

also eye candy, "attractive woman on a TV show, etc.," by 1978, based on a metaphor also found in nose candy "cocaine" (1930).

eye-catching (adj.)

1799, from eye (n.) + present participle of catch (v.). Eye-catcher (n.) is from 1882, first in advertising; eye-trap (n.) is attested from 1785.

eye-drop (n.)

also eyedrop, 1590s, "tear," from eye (n.) + drop (n.). From 1938 as "a drop for the eye." Related: Eye-dropper.

eyehole (n.)

also eye-hole, 1630s, "cavity or socket containing the orbit of the eye," from eye (n.) + hole (n.). By 1856 as "hole or opening, as in a mask or in a curtain or door, through which one may look, a peep hole."

eyelash (n.)

1752, from eye (n.) + lash (n.). Related: Eyelashes.

eyeless (adj.)

1560s, from eye (n.) + -less.

eyelet (n.)

"small hole," late 14c., oilet, from Old French oeillet, diminutive of oeil "eye," from Latin oculus "an eye" (from PIE root *okw- "to see"). Spelling later modified by influence of eye (n.).

eyelid (n.)

mid-13c., from eye (n.) + lid (n.).

eye-liner (n.)

also eyeliner, 1955, in the cosmetic sense, from eye (n.) + liner (n.2).

eye-opener (n.)

"anything that informs and enlightens," 1863, from eye (n.) + agent noun from open (v.). Earlier "alcoholic drink" especially one taken early in the day (1818).

eye-piece (n.)

also eyepiece, "the lens or combination of lenses to which the eye is applied in an optical instrument," 1738, from eye (n.) + piece (n.1).

eye-service (n.)

"work done only under inspection or while the master is watching," 1530s, from eye (n.) + service (n.1). Related: Eye-servant.

eye-shade (n.)

also eyeshade, "a shade for the eyes," 1808 as a type of headgear, from eye (n.) + shade (n.).

eye-shadow (n.)

also eyeshadow, 1918 in the cosmetic sense, in Elizabeth Arden ads in "Cosmopolitan," from eye (n.) + shadow (n.).

eye-shot (n.)

also eyeshot, "range of vision," 1580s, from eye (n.) + shot (n.) in the sense of "range" (as in bowshot).

eyesight (n.)

"sense of sight, capacity for seeing," c. 1200, from eye (n.) + sight (n.).

eyesore (n.)

c. 1300, "a soreness of the eyes" (obsolete); modern sense of "something offensive to the eye" is from 1520s; from eye (n.) + sore (n.). In the sense "eye disease" Old English had eagseoung.

eye-tooth (n.)

also eyetooth, "upper canine tooth," 1570s, so called for its position immediately under or next to the eye. Compare German Augenzahn. Related: Eye-teeth.

eyewash (n.)

"a wash or lotion for the eyes," 1866, from eye (n.) + wash (n.). Colloquial use for "blarney, humbug" (1884), chiefly British, perhaps is from the notion of "something intended to obscure or conceal facts or true motives." But this, and expression my eye also may be the verbal equivalent of the wink that indicates one doesn't believe what has been said (compare French mon oeil in same sense, accompanied by a knowing pointing of a finger to the eye).

eye-witness (n.)

also eyewitness, "one who testifies to something he has seen," 1530s, from eye (n.) + witness (n.). As a verb from 1844. Related: Eyewitnessed; eyewitnessing.

eyot (n.)

"small island," from Middle English eyt, from Old English iggað "small island," diminutive of eg, ig, ieg "island" (see island). Ending influenced by French diminutive suffix -ot.

eyrie

see aerie.

Ezekiel

masc. proper name; in Old Testament, name of a book and of one of the great prophets of Israel, from Late Latin Ezechiel, from Greek Iezekiel, from Hebrew Yehezqel, literally "God strengthens," from hazaq "he was strong, he strengthened" + El "God."

Ezra

masc. proper name, in Old Testament name of a celebrated 5c. B.C.E. scribe, from Late Latin, from Hebrew Ezra, contraction of Azaryah(u), literally "God has helped," from ezer "help" + Yah, a shortened form of Yahweh "God."