stalworth

stalworth · adjective, noun¹

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*wert-“to rotate, turn”
2. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*steh₂-“to stand (up)”
3. Old English · inherited fromstǣlwierþe“able to stand in good stead, serviceable”
4. Middle English · inherited fromstalworth
5. English todaystalworth

From Middle English stalworth, stal-worth (“physically strong, hardy, robust; brave, courageous”), from Old English stǣlwierþe (“able to stand in good stead, serviceable”), probably from staþol (“establishment; foundation”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to stand (up)”)) or stǣl (“place; condition, stead”) + -wierþe (suffix meaning “able to, capable of”) (probably ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wert- (“to rotate, turn”)). Displaced by stalwart, which forms a doublet. Compare staddle and worth.

Stalworth · proper noun²

1. Old English · derived fromstǣlwierþe“able to stand in good stead, serviceable”
2. Middle English · derived fromstalworth“physically strong, hardy, robust; brave, courageous”
3. English todayStalworth

Nickname for a well-built or brave person, from Middle English stalworth (“physically strong, hardy, robust; brave, courageous”), from Old English stǣlwierþe (“able to stand in good stead, serviceable”).

Words from the same roots