Where does “matrix” come from?

Matrix comes from Old French matrice, from Latin matrix meaning womb or source, derived from Latin mater meaning mother, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European méh₂tēr.

matrix (English): The womb; The material or tissue in which more...

Definitions

  1. The womb; The material or tissue in which more...

Ancestry of “matrix”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Frenchmatricefemale reproductive system
2Latinmātrīxuterus, womb
3Latinmātermother female parent
4Ancient GreekἄρχωTo begin; To lead, rule, govern, command; To be...
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂ergʰ-to begin; to command, rule; to begin, rule,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂ergʰ- →Every word from Ancient Greek ἄρχω →Every word from Latin māter →