Crutch
/krʌtʃ/noun
A support used to help someone walk, usually because of an injury or disability.
Did you know?Crutch is ultimately related to words for a crook or hook, and its history passes through forms meaning a hooked support rather than a modern medical device.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ger-
“to turn, bend, or curve”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*kruk- / *krukjo-
“a hook, bend, or crooked support”
Old English
OE
cryċċe
“a crutch or staff with a curved top”
Middle English
ME
crutche
“a support for walking; also a hooked staff”
Modern English
English
crutch
“a support used for walking”