Where does “Scylla” come from?

Scylla comes from Latin Scylla, from Ancient Greek Σκύλλα, from Ancient Greek σκύλλω meaning to tear or rend, from Proto-Indo-European (s)ker- and sek- meaning to cut.

Scylla (English): A dangerous rock on the Italian coast opposite the whirlpool Charybdis on the coast of Sicily. The passage between Scylla and Charybdis was formerly considered perilous; hence, the saying between Scylla and Charybdis signifies a great peril on either hand

Definitions

  1. A dangerous rock on the Italian coast opposite the whirlpool Charybdis on the coast of Sicily. The passage between Scylla and Charybdis was formerly considered perilous; hence, the saying between Scylla and Charybdis signifies a great peril on either hand

Ancestry of “Scylla”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1LatinScyllaScylla, a mythical monster
2Ancient GreekΣκύλλαScylla
3Ancient Greekσκύλλωto lacerate; to molest, annoy; pluck, tear
4Proto-Indo-European(s)kelH-to cut; to split, to separate
5Proto-Indo-European(s)kel-to bend, crook; bent, crooked; leg, heel, knee,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)kel- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)kelH- →Every word from Ancient Greek σκύλλω →