Where does “asphyxia” come from?

Asphyxia comes from Ancient Greek ἀσφυξία, composed of the prefix ἀ- (not) and σφύζω (to throb or pulse), ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning absence of vital signs.

asphyxia (English): Loss of consciousness due to the interruption of...

Definitions

  1. Loss of consciousness due to the interruption of...

Ancestry of “asphyxia”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1New Latinasphyxia—
2Ancient Greekἀσφυξίαstopping of the pulse
3Ancient Greekἀ-The alpha privativum, used to make words that...
4Proto-Hellenichə-same; together
5Proto-Indo-Europeansm̥-one; with, together
6Proto-Indo-Europeansem-together, one

Words derived from “asphyxia”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European sem- →Every word from Ancient Greek ἀ- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European sm̥- →