Etymology Map
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Newt

2 stages from Old English to English.

Today it means a small amphibian with a long tail that lives partly in water

Where does the word "newt" come from? It comes from Old English efete, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
efete
Old English · medieval
"newt"
a lizard-like amphibian; the older form survives as 'eft'
2
Stage 2 of 2
newt
English · 1400s
"small amphibian"
the opposite of 'apron': 'an ewte' was heard as 'a newte', so the word gained an n
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Read the full story

Newt’s story begins in Old English: efete meant “newt.” A lizard-like amphibian; the older form survives as 'eft'. It reached English by 1400s as newt. The opposite of 'apron': 'an ewte' was heard as 'a newte', so the word gained an n. Today, newt means a small amphibian with a long tail that lives partly in water.