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Tao

(dou, tou) also Dao (dou)

1. In Taoism, the basic, eternal principle of the universe that transcends reality and is the source of being, non-being, and change.

2. In Confucianism, the right manner of human activity and virtuous conduct seen as stemming from universal criteria and ideals governing right, wrong, and other categories of existence.

[Mandarin dào, road, way, Tao, from Middle Chinese tɦaw`, from Early Middle Chinese daw', from Old Chinese *lûʔ.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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