-port- (etymology)

Several English words include the element -port-. These can confuse non-native learners at times, and their history may be interesting to native speakers; so some notes are given here.

Three Latin roots (two linked) contribute to many of these. PortÄre means 'to carry, bring' (cf French porter), and is the most productive root. Porta means a 'door, gate[way]', and, like portus, a 'harbour, haven or port', is derived from an older root por, meaning 'to pierce'.