Where does “helix” come from?
helix (Dutch) comes from Latin helīx, from Ancient Greek ἕλιξ, from Ancient Greek πτερόν, from Proto-Indo-European péth₂r̥, from Proto-Indo-European peth₂- — to spread out; to fly.
helix (Dutch): helix
Ancestry of “helix”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Latin | helīx | — |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | ἕλιξ | Anything twisted, winding, or spiral; The tendril... |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | πτερόν | feather; wing; Any winged creature |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | péth₂r̥ | wing; feather |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | peth₂- | to spread out; to fly |