cult etymology

English word cult comes from Proto-Indo-European *kʷel-, Latin colum, Latin colere, and later French culte (Cult (attributive) Cult (religious practice). Religion.)

Detailed word origin of cult

Dictionary entryLanguageDefinition
*kʷel- Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro)
colum Latin (lat) (poetic) a wicker basket for catching fish. Colander, strainer.
colere Latin (lat)
*quelo Latin (lat)
quelo Latin (lat)
colare Latin (lat)
cultus Latin (lat) (rare) The act of laboring at, labor, care, cultivation, culture.. (rare) Training, education, culture.. A religious group, cult, sect.. Care directed to the refinement of life, cultural pursuit, civilization, culture, style; elegance, polish, refinement.. Style of dress, external appearance, clothing, attire; ornament, decoration, splendor.. The act of honoring or worshipping, reverence, [...]
culte French (fra) Cult (attributive) Cult (religious practice). Religion.
cult English (eng) Enjoyed by a small, loyal group.. Of or relating to a cult. (informal) A group of people having an obsession with or intense admiration for a particular activity, idea, person or thing.. (offensive, derogatory) A group of people with a religious, philosophical or cultural identity sometimes viewed as a sect or NRM, often existing on the margins of society or exploitative towards its [...]

Words with the same origin as cult

Descendants of *kʷel-
behold bicycle bike collar colonel colony column cultural culture cycle gal hail halt held hold holding holly holy household motorcycle pole shall wheel wheelchair
Descendants of colum
agricultural agriculture cologne colon colonial cultivate perk perky pilgrim pilgrimage