trade wind
/treɪd wɪnd/
noun
Origin
Middle English
trade — path, course, or way of life
Overview
Meaning Now
- A wind blowing steadily toward the equator from the northeast in the northern hemisphere or the southeast in the southern hemisphere, especially at sea.
Literal older meaning
a wind that follows a 'trade' or 'tread' (track/path)
Language path
Middle English → English
Earliest form
trade wind
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The term 'trade' in 'trade wind' does not originate from the modern sense of 'commerce' (mercantilism), though its consistency proved vital for sailing routes used by merchant ships in the age of discovery. It comes from the Middle English word 'trade', meaning a 'track' or 'course'.
Evolution
- Old English
tredan
“to tread, walk, or go”
The root verb for 'tread'.
- Middle English
trade
“a track, course, or beaten path”
Initially referred to a path or way one regularly traveled.
- 16th century
trade wind
“a wind that blows in a constant path or track”
Originally referred to the 'trade' (consistent course) of the wind rather than commercial exchange.
Connections
Word parts
trade
root
path or course
wind
root
air in motion
Related across languages
Low German
traden
to tread
Explore next
Related to trade wind
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.