Where does “axis” come from?

Axis comes from Latin axis, which derives from Proto-Indo-European h₂eḱs-, itself from h₂eǵ-, tracing back through further Proto-Indo-European forms h₂eḱs- and h₂eǵ-.

axis (English): An imaginary line around which an object spins (an axis of rotation) or is symmetrically arranged (an axis of symmetry)

Definitions

  1. An imaginary line around which an object spins (an axis of rotation) or is symmetrically arranged (an axis of symmetry)

Ancestry of “axis”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1LatinaxisAn axletree of wagon, car, chariot; The North...
2Proto-Italicaksis—
3Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eḱs-axis, axle
4Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eǵ-to drive

Words derived from “axis”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eǵ- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eḱs- →Every word from Proto-Italic aksis →
axis — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer