Where does “Proterozoic” come from?
Proterozoic derives from Ancient Greek πρότερος (proteros, "former") and ζῷον (zōion, "animal"), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning "before" and "to live."
Proterozoic (English): Of or relating to the geologic eon from 2,500 Ma...
Definitions
- Of or relating to the geologic eon from 2,500 Ma...
Ancestry of “Proterozoic”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | zoic | Showing traces of life; containing organic... |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | ζωϊκός | of or pertaining to animals |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | ζῷον | animal, beast; form, image |
| 4 | Proto-Hellenic | ďṓyyon | animal, creature, beast |
| 5 | Proto-Hellenic | gʷyōwyon | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | gʷyeh₃w-y-om | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | gʷíh₃weti | to live, to be alive |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | gʷih₃wós | alive, living |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | gʷeih₃w- | to live |