frog
UK[frɒɡ]US[frɑːɡ]
n
a small animal with smooth skin, that lives both on land and in water, has long back legs for jumping, and no tail
n
(offensive) a word for a french person
Etymology
the word 'frog' has a deep germanic lineage, traceable to old english 'frogga' and middle english 'frogge'. its ultimate origin is uncertain but is often linked to proto-germanic fruskaz, possibly deriving from a pie root meaning 'to hop' or being an onomatopoeic formation imitating the creature's croaking sound. this simple, ancient root has remained remarkably stable in form and core meaning across centuries, directly naming the amphibian. the derogatory slang for a french person arose in the late 18th century, likely from the stereotype of french people eating frogs' legs.
Analysis
the word is a simplex. it is a loanword from old english 'frogga', of uncertain origin, likely imitative or from a common germanic root.
Examples
we could hear the frogs croaking by the pond all evening.
the biology class studied the life cycle of a frog from tadpole to adult.
the sudden leap of the frog startled me.