English
stilt
Stilt comes from Proto-Germanic *stelt- ‘to be stiff’.
- Proto-Germanicc. 500 BCE–200 CE*stelt-‘to be stiff’reconstructed
- Proto-Germanic, derivedc. 500 BCE–200 CE*stiltijǭreconstructed
- Old Englishc. 450–1150*stiltereconstructed
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500stilte
- Englishearliest quotation 1829stilt
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Germanicc. 500 BCE–200 CE*stelt-‘to be stiff’reconstructed
- Proto-Germanic, derivedc. 500 BCE–200 CE*stiltijǭreconstructed
- Old Englishc. 450–1150*stiltereconstructed
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500stilte
- Englishearliest quotation 1829stilt
Earliest quotation: 1829, Walter Scott, Introduction: “He[…]shot MacLaren when between the stilts of his plough,[…]”
Every English word from Proto-Germanic *stelt-
Today it means
noun Either of two poles with footrests that allow someone to stand or walk above the ground; used mostly by entertainers.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Germanic *stelt- / stilt