Where does “astigmatism” come from?
Astigmatism comes from English a- prefixed to English stigmatism, which derives from Latin ad- meaning "to" or "toward," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂epo meaning "off" or "away."
astigmatism (English): A defect of a lens such that light rays coming...
Definitions
- A defect of a lens such that light rays coming...
Ancestry of “astigmatism”, step by step
astigmatism traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Ancient Greek στίγμα
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient Greek | στίγμα | A mark from a pointed instrument, often as a sign... |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | στίζω | I tattoo; I mark |
| 3 | Proto-Hellenic | stiďďō | — |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)teyg- | to be sharp; to sting |
via French astigmatisme
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French | astigmatisme | astigmatism (disorder of the vision) |