The word 'utter' has a fascinating journey from a comparative term to its modern meanings of speaking and absoluteness. It originates from the Old English 'ūt', meaning 'out', which is itself from Proto-Germanic 'ūt'. The comparative form 'ūtera' and superlative 'ūtemest' meant 'outer' and 'outermost', respectively. Over time, 'utter' evolved from meaning 'outer' or 'external' to taking on the sense of 'going to the extreme' or 'complete', as in 'utter darkness', which is darkness at its outermost limit. Simultaneously, the verb 'utter' developed from the idea of putting something forth or outward, hence 'to speak' or 'to give out'.

The word 'utter' is a simplex form derived from a single, tight Germanic root. It is not productively composed of smaller, independent morphemes in modern English.