entstammte

Entstammte is the simple past form of the German verb entstammen. It means to originate from or to descend from, usually in reference to a person’s ancestry, a tradition, or a lineage. The word is commonly found in biographical, historical, or formal contexts and emphasizes the source or origin of something rather than its development.

Etymology and meaning: entstammen combines the prefix ent- with Stamm (stem, lineage). The combination conveys movement away from a source toward the present subject, so to speak, and is used to describe where someone or something derives its beginnings.

Usage: The verb is typically used to describe origin or descent, often with a reference to a family, group, tradition, or tradition’s roots. It is more literary or formal than everyday alternatives such as stammen aus or herkommen. Examples include statements about family background, cultural heritage, or historical lineages.

Examples:

- Sie entstammt einer berühmten Musikerfamilie.

- Der Brauch entstammt alten Traditionen.

- Er entstammte einer einfachen Bauernfamilie.

Comparison and synonyms: In everyday language, Germans more often use stammen aus or herkommen, especially in casual speech. Entstammen remains a preferred choice when a text aims for a formal, historical, or genealogical tone.

See also: stammen, aus, herkommen, genealogische Begriffe.