Etymology Explorer › Ancient Greek

Where does “χριστός” come from?

χριστός (Ancient Greek) comes from Ancient Greek χρῑ́ω, from Proto-Indo-European gʰrēy-, from Proto-Indo-European gʰer- — to rub; to stroke; to grind.

χριστός (Ancient Greek): to be rubbed on, used as ointment or salve;...

Definitions

  1. to be rubbed on, used as ointment or salve;...

Ancestry of “χριστός”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekχρῑ́ωto rub, ceremonially anoint
2Proto-Indo-Europeangʰrēy-to smear; to paint, streak, smear
3Proto-Indo-Europeangʰer-to rub; to stroke; to grind

Words derived from “χριστός”

  • Christ
  • Christian
  • Christianity
  • Christopher
  • Christine
  • Christology
  • Christchurch
  • Christiansen
  • Christological
  • antichrist
  • Christlike
  • Christianization
  • christen
  • Christianize
  • cretinism
  • cretin
  • Christer
  • cripes
  • Christlikeness
  • Christless
  • Christly
  • Christic
  • cretinous
  • Christianopolis
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʰer- →