Where does “abnormal” come from?
Abnormal derives from English absolute and Latin ab, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European ǵneh₃- meaning to know or recognize.
abnormal (English): Not conforming to rule or system; deviating from...
Definitions
- Not conforming to rule or system; deviating from...
Ancestry of “abnormal”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | abnōrmis | deviating or departing from a fixed rule or standard; abnormal, irregular, unorthodox |
| 2 | Latin | nōrma | a carpenter’s square |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | γνώμων | interpreter, discerner; carpenter's square;... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | γιγνώσκω | I am aware of; I perceive, observe, know, learn;... |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵn̥h₃sḱéti | to recognise |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵneh₃- | to know |