Stair
/stɛr/noun
A set of steps for going from one level to another.
Did you know?“Stair” comes from a very old Germanic root meaning “to climb,” which is why its cousins still echo movement and rising in other languages.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ster-
“to spread, stretch out, or be stiff/rigid”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*stairaz
“a stair, step, or ladder-like ascent”
Old English
OE
stæger
“a stair or step”
Middle English
ME
staire
“a stair, staircase, or flight of steps”
Modern English
English
stair
“a step or flight of steps for climbing between levels”