dolphin

dolphin · noun¹

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromδελφίς
2. Latin · derived fromdelphīnus
3. Middle English · inherited fromdelphyn
4. English todaydolphin

From Middle English delphyn, from Latin delphīnus, from Ancient Greek δελφίς (delphís), from δελφύς (delphús, “womb”); the modern form in -ol- is probably influenced by the pronunciation of Middle French dauphin. Compare Dutch dolfijn and Swedish delfin. Doublet of dauphin. Displaced native Old English mereswīn (literally “sea pig”), whence English mereswine.

dolphin · noun²

1. Dutch · borrowed fromdukdalf
2. English todaydolphin

Ultimately from 3rd Duke of Alba (duc-d'Albe in French), who was the first to build this type of structure in the Spanish Netherlands in the 16th century. Possibly from Dutch dukdalf, or the plural dukdalven, through elision of the initial duk-.

Dolphin · proper noun, noun³

1. Old Norse · derived fromDólgfinnr
2. Middle English · inherited fromDolfin
3. English todayDolphin

From Middle English Dolfin, from Old Norse Dólgfinnr (given name), from dólgr (“enemy”) + Finnr (“Sami”).

Words from the same roots