moustache

The story

1. Pre-Greek · derived from
2. Ancient Greek · derived fromμύσταξ“upper lip”
3. Medieval Greek · derived fromμουστάκιον
4. Early Medieval Latin · derived frommustācium
5. Italian · derived frommostaccio
6. Middle French · borrowed frommoustache
7. English todaymoustache

Used in English since the 16th century. From Middle French moustache from Italian mostaccio, from Early Medieval Latin mustācium, from Medieval Greek μουστάκιον (moustákion), diminutive of (Doric) Ancient Greek μύσταξ (mústax, “upper lip”), of unknown origin (probably a Pre-Greek substrate). Replaced native English kemp (“moustache”), from Old English cenep.

Words from the same roots