visceral

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*weys-“to rotate, turn”
2. Latin · derived fromviscera
3. Medieval Latin · derived fromviscerālis“internal”
4. Middle French · derived fromviscéral
5. English todayvisceral

From Middle French viscéral (modern French viscéral), or from its etymon Medieval Latin viscerālis (“internal”) + English -al (suffix meaning ‘of or pertaining to’ forming adjectives). Viscerālis is derived from Latin viscera (a plural form of vīscus (“internal organ of the body”); further etymology uncertain, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *weys- (“to rotate, turn”)) + -ālis (suffix meaning ‘of or pertaining to’ forming adjectives). cognates * Old French visceral (Middle French viscéral, modern French viscéral) * Italian viscerale * Spanish visceral

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• 16th–17th c.; revived from 20th c. Of or relating to the viscera or bowels regarded as the origin of a person's emotions; hence (figuratively), relating to or having deep internal feelings or sensibility.