Home › Etymology › The American Heritage Dictionary of Indo-European Roots

The American Heritage Dictionary of Indo-European Roots

by Calvert Watkins

A guide to English words’ deeper roots

Regular price $22.86 USD
Regular price $35.72 USD Sale price $22.86 USD
Save 36%

Paperback New

Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.

Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

AlbakiReads Editorial

A guide to English words’ deeper roots

Tracing more than 13,000 words through nearly 1,350 reconstructed Proto-Indo-European roots, this reference connects English vocabulary with the ancient language from which it descends. An introductory essay by Calvert Watkins explains how scholars reconstruct a language with no written records and outlines what that work suggests about Proto-Indo-European culture. Language and Culture notes appear throughout the dictionary, adding context to selected roots and the words that grew from them. Together, the entries and essays place English etymology within the wider Indo-European language family.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • For readers exploring the history and origins of English words.
  • For students or enthusiasts of linguistics, etymology, and Indo-European languages.
  • For reference collections focused on language and word history.

Themes

English etymologyProto-Indo-European rootsHistorical linguisticsLanguage and culture

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

The American Heritage Dictionary of Indo-European Roots traces over 13,000 words, representing nearly 1,350 basic roots, to their origins in Proto-Indo-European, the prehistoric ancestor of English. The dictionary includes an introductory essay by Dr. Calvert Watkins, explaining how it is possible to reconstruct the words of an ancient and unwritten language and describing what scholars have discovered about Proto-Indo-European culture. Interspersed throughout the body of the dictionary are Language and Culture notes that provide more detailed information on particularly interesting roots and the vocabulary derived from them. The Dictionary of Indo-European Roots is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the history of English and its place within the Indo-European language family.

Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews

M
AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
AlbakiReads
Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

O
AlbakiReads
Olivia

Smooth.