rogue

Meaning

Frequency

30k
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ʁɔɡ/
Etymology

In summary

Attested since the 18th century. From Middle French *rogue, of Germanic origin, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *hrugną (“spawn, roe”), itself possibly from Proto-Indo-European *krek- (“spawn, frogspawn”). The immediate source is either Dutch roge or Old Norse hrogn. The late attestation speaks for Dutch origin. However, the Trésor de la langue française says the word is especially Norman, which makes Old Norse origin plausible. Cognate with English roe, which see.

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