Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Polyphemus” come from?

Polyphemus derives from Latin Polyphemus, from Ancient Greek Πολύφημος, composed of πολύ- (poly-, many) and φήμη (phēmē, speech or fame), from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning to speak.

Ancestry of “Polyphemus”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1LatinPolyphemus—
2Ancient GreekΠολύφημος—
3Ancient Greekφήμηprophetic voice, oracle; rumor; reputation
4Proto-Hellenicpʰā́mā—
5Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰeh₂-meh₂—
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰeh₂-to shine, glow light; to speak, say
7Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰeh₂-s-ri-—
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰeh₂-s-ri- →