Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “autobiographical” come from?

Autobiographical derives from English autobiography, itself from English biography and Ancient Greek αὐτο- meaning self, combined with βίος meaning life.

autobiographical (English): Of or relating to a person's life or an account...

Definitions

  1. Of or relating to a person's life or an account...

Ancestry of “autobiographical”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishautobiographyA self-written biography; the story of one's own...
2Englishauto-Regarding oneself; automatic; relating to cars or...
3EnglishautomaticCapable of operating without external control or...
4Frenchautomatiqueautomatic
5Frenchautomateautomaton
6Ancient Greekαὐτόματον—
7Ancient Greekαὐτόματοςself-willed, unbidden; self-moving,...
8Ancient Greekμέμααto wish eagerly, strive, yearn, desire
9Ancient Greekμέμοναto be minded or inclined; to be eager; to hasten
10Proto-Indo-Europeanmemóneto think, to be mindful; to remember
11Proto-Indo-Europeanmen-to think, mind; spiritual activity; to stay,...

Words derived from “autobiographical”

  • autobiographically
  • semiautobiographical
  • nonautobiographical
  • semiautobiographically
Every word from Proto-Indo-European men- →