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

  1. Of a geologic epoch within the Paleogene period...

Ancestry of “Oligocene”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1GermanOligozänOligocene
2Ancient GreekὀλίγοςOf small amount: few, little; Of small size:...
3New Latinchaeta—
4Ancient Greekχαίτηloose, flowing hair; used especially of back...
5Proto-Indo-Europeangʰeh₂it-curly hair
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʰeh₂it- →Every word from Ancient Greek χαίτη →Every word from New Latin chaeta →