Where does “alma mater” come from?
alma mater (Dutch) comes from Latin alma mater, from Latin māter, from Ancient Greek ἄρχω, from Proto-Indo-European h₂ergʰ- — to begin; to command, rule; to begin, rule,...
alma mater (Dutch): alma mater university one attended, especially one from which one has graduated
Definitions
- alma mater university one attended, especially one from which one has graduated
Ancestry of “alma mater”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | alma mater | mother goddess; Virgin Mary |
| 2 | Latin | māter | mother female parent |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | ἄρχω | To begin; To lead, rule, govern, command; To be... |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂ergʰ- | to begin; to command, rule; to begin, rule,... |