Etymology

push

P3U1S1H4

Today it means: To apply a force to (an object) such that it moves away from the person or thing applying the force. Full definition →

Middle English pushen ← Middle French pousser ← Old French poulser
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push · verb, noun1

  1. Latin · derived frompulsare“to beat, strike”
  2. Old French · derived frompoulser
  3. Middle French · derived frompousser
  4. Middle English · inherited frompushen
  5. English todaypush

From Middle English pushen, poshen, posson, borrowed from Middle French pousser (Modern French pousser) from Old French poulser, from Latin pulsare (“to beat, strike”), frequentative of pellere (past participle pulsus). Doublet of pulsate and pulse (verb). Partly displaced native Old English sċūfan, whence Modern English shove.

push · noun2

  1. French · derived frompoche
  2. English todaypush

Probably French poche. See pouch.

Words from the same roots

Latinpulsare all →

pulserepoussé

Frenchpoche all →

poché

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.