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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:
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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n. 1. A condition of turbulent motion. 2. a. An agitated disturbance; a hubbub: heard a commotion in the hall. b. Civil disturbance or insurrection; disorder. [Middle English commocioun, from Old French commotion, from Latin commōtiō, commōtiōn-, from commōtus, past participle of commovēre, to disturb : com-, intensive pref.; see COM- + movēre, to move; see meuə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2018 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
