Newt
/njuːt/noun
A small amphibian related to salamanders, typically with a slender body and moist skin.
Did you know?English once had the phrase "an ewt," and over time the n was pulled onto the noun, creating the modern word "newt"—a classic case of rebracketing.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
English
efete
“A newt or eft, a small lizard-like amphibian.”
Middle English
English
eft
“A newt; also, in some dialects, a lizard-like creature.”
Middle English
English
an ewt
“A newt, with the article misdivided from the noun.”
15th–16th Century
English
newt
“The modern form created by rebracketing from "an ewt."”
Modern English
English
newt
“A small amphibian of the salamander family.”