Where does “axiom” come from?
Axiom comes from Middle French axiome, from Latin axioma, from Ancient Greek ἀξίωμα meaning "something worthy or fit," derived from ἄξιος meaning "worthy" and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root h₂éǵeti meaning "to drive or lead."
axiom (English): A seemingly self-evident or necessary truth which...
Definitions
- A seemingly self-evident or necessary truth which...
Ancestry of “axiom”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle French | axiome | axiom |
| 2 | Latin | axiōma | axiom |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | ἀξίωμα | that which is thought fit, a requisite; that... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | ἀξιόω | to think or deem worthy |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | ἄξιος | counterbalancing, weighing as much as, of like... |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | ἄγω | to lead, fetch, bring along (a living creature), take with |
| 7 | Proto-Hellenic | ágō | to lead, to guide |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂éǵeti | to be driving |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eǵ- | to drive |