What is the root of the word kittens kitten? - briefly
The root of the word "kittens" and "kitten" is "kit."
What is the root of the word kittens kitten? - in detail
The words "kittens" and "kitten" share the same root, which can be traced back to Old English. The root word in this case is "kit," derived from the Old English term "cytten" or "citten." This root has evolved through various stages of the English language, ultimately giving rise to the modern forms "kittens" and "kitten."
In early Middle English, the term began to shift toward its current form. By the late 15th century, the spelling started to stabilize into what we now recognize as "kitten," with a plural form "kittens." This evolution reflects the natural development of language over time, where pronunciation and spelling adjustments occur organically.
Interestingly, the Old English word "cytten" or "citten" is itself derived from Proto-Germanic "*kittjōn," which has cognates in other Germanic languages such as Dutch "katje" and German "Kätzchen." This shared heritage underscores the linguistic connections among these languages.
In summary, the root of the words "kittens" and "kitten" can be traced back to Old English "cytten" or "citten," which in turn has roots in Proto-Germanic "*kittjōn." This historical lineage provides insight into the evolution of language and the enduring connections between related languages.