acrobat

Where does the word "acrobat" come from? It comes from Greek akrobatēs, passing through French before entering English (1820s).

Acrobat’s story begins in Greek: akrobatēs meant “tiptoe-walker.” 'akros', topmost, plus 'bainein', to walk: someone who walks on tiptoe. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in French as acrobate. Revived for rope-dancers and circus performers. It reached English by 1820s as acrobat. Spread with the rise of the modern circus. Today, acrobat means an entertainer who performs gymnastic feats.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient akrobatēs "tiptoe-walker", 'akros', topmost, plus 'bainein', to walk: someone who walks on tiptoe.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1700s acrobate "tightrope walker", revived for rope-dancers and circus performers.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1820s acrobat "a gymnast performer", spread with the rise of the modern circus.