English word mother comes from Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr, and later Proto-Germanic *mōdēr (Mother.)
You can also see our other etymologies for the English word mother. Currently you are viewing the etymology of mother with the meaning: (Noun Verb) A stringy, mucilaginous or film- or membrane-like substance (consisting of acetobacters) which develops in fermenting alcoholic liquids (such as wine, or cider), and turns the alcohol into [...]A stringy, mucilaginous or film- or membrane-like substance (consisting of acetobacters) which develops in fermenting alcoholic liquids (such as wine, or cider), and turns the alcohol into [...]
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *-tḗr | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | Derives agent nouns from verbs, denoting someone or something whose role or purpose it is to perform the verb's action. |
| *mh₂tros | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *mōdēr | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Mother. |
| mōdor | Old English (ang) | |
| modor | Old English (ang) | Mother. |
| moder | Middle English (enm) | Mother. |
| mother | English (eng) | A stringy, mucilaginous or film- or membrane-like substance (consisting of acetobacters) which develops in fermenting alcoholic liquids (such as wine, or cider), and turns the alcohol into acetic acid with the help of oxygen from the air. (intransitive, of an alcohol) To develop mother.. (transitive) To cause to contain . |