Where does “Phanerozoic” come from?

Phanerozoic derives from Ancient Greek φανερός, from Ancient Greek φαίνω "to show," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰeh₂-, a root meaning "to shine" or "to appear."

Phanerozoic (English): Of or relating to the Phanerozoic eon

Definitions

  1. Of or relating to the Phanerozoic eon

Ancestry of “Phanerozoic”, step by step

Phanerozoic traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Ancient Greek φανερός

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekφανερόςvisible, manifest, evident, apparent; known,...
2Ancient GreekφαίνωI cause to appear, bring to light; I show,...
3English-typeimpressed form; stamp; print; typical form; Used...
4Ancient GreekτύποςA blow, pressing; The results of a blow: mark,...
5Ancient Greekτύπτωto beat, strike, smite; to beat, strike oneself
6Proto-Indo-European(s)tewp-to push, to stick
7Proto-Indo-European(s)tew-to push, to hit

via Ancient Greek Ζωή

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient GreekΖωήa living; property
2Ancient Greekζῶto live
3Ancient GreekζώωEpic and Ionic form of ζάω
4Proto-Hellenicďṓwōto live
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)tew-Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)tewp-Every word from Ancient Greek τύπτω