English
ointment
Ointment comes from Old French oignement ‘an anointing’, and goes back to Proto-Indo-European *h₃engʷ-.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₃engʷ-‘to smear, anoint’reconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEung(u)ō‘I anoint’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400oignement‘an anointing’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500oinement
- Englishtodayointment
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₃engʷ-‘to smear, anoint’reconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEung(u)ō‘I anoint’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400oignement‘an anointing’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500oinement
- Englishtodayointment
The story
A later form (as if oint + -ment) of Middle English oinement, borrowed from Old French oignement (‘an anointing’), from oigner, oindre, ongier (‘to anoint’), from Latin ung(u)ō (‘I anoint’), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃engʷ- (‘to smear, anoint’). Partly displaced native Old English sealf, whence modern salve.
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *h₃engʷ- ‘to smear, anoint’
Today it means
noun A viscous preparation of oils and/or fats, usually containing medication, used as a treatment or as an emollient.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *h₃engʷ- / ointment