Where does “Phosphorus” come from?
Phosphorus derives from Latin Phosphorus, from Ancient Greek Φωσφόρος, combining φέρω (to carry) and a root meaning light, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰer- (to bear or carry).
Ancestry of “Phosphorus”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Latin | phōsphorus | — |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | Φωσφόρος | the bearer of light |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | -φόρος | -bearing, -carrying; carrying, bearing; bringing |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | φέρω | I bring, bear, carry |
| 5 | Proto-Hellenic | pʰérō | to bear |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰéreti | to be carrying |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰēr- | shiny, light brown |