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Zel·ig also zel·ig

(zĕlĭg)

1. A person who unconsciously mimics the traits or appearances of those with whom that person associates.

2. A person having a ubiquitous, often inconspicuous presence: “[He] is a sort of Zelig of modern politics, popping up and blending in at momentous occasions” (Alessandra Stanley).

[After Leonard Zelig, the main character of the film Zelig (1983) written and directed by Woody Allen.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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