Where does “Oligocene” come from?
Oligocene derives from German Oligozän, which combines Ancient Greek ὀλίγος and Proto-Indo-European h₃ligos, both meaning few or small.
Oligocene (English): Of a geologic epoch within the Paleogene period...
Definitions
- Of a geologic epoch within the Paleogene period...
Ancestry of “Oligocene”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | German | Oligozän | — |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | ὀλίγος | Of small amount: few, little; Of small size:... |
| 3 | New Latin | chaeta | — |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | χαίτη | loose, flowing hair; used especially of back... |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | gʰeh₂it- | curly hair |