Old French

actif

‘active’

Every word has its own definition in its root. These English words share one: Old French actif.

6 English words in this record descend from Old French actif, most familiar first.

• active ← actyf
• actively ← actyvely ← actyf
• activate ← active ← actyf
• radioactive ← radio-actif ← actif
• retroactive ← rétroactif ← actif
• radium ← radio(actif) ← actif

Etymograph / Old French actif