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).

Phosphorus (English): A name sometimes used for Hesperus, the personification in Greek mythology of the planet Venus

Definitions

  1. A name sometimes used for Hesperus, the personification in Greek mythology of the planet Venus

Ancestry of “Phosphorus”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinphōsphorusphosphorus
2Ancient GreekΦωσφόροςthe bearer of light
3Ancient Greek-φόρος-bearing, -carrying; carrying, bearing; bringing
4Ancient GreekφέρωI bring, bear, carry
5Proto-Hellenicpʰérōto bear
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰéretito be carrying
7Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰēr-shiny, light brown

Words derived from “Phosphorus”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰēr- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰéreti →Every word from Proto-Hellenic pʰérō →