Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “binocle” come from?

binocle (English) comes from French binocle, from Latin bi-, from Ancient Greek κύκλος, from Proto-Indo-European kʷékʷlos, from Proto-Indo-European kʷel- — to turn.

binocle (English): A dioptric telescope, fitted with two tubes...

Definitions

  1. A dioptric telescope, fitted with two tubes...

Ancestry of “binocle”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchbinoclepince-nez; lorgnette; spectacles, eyeglasses,...
2Latinbi-having two parts; occurring twice
3Ancient Greekκύκλοςcircle, ring; Any circular object, such as a...
4Proto-Indo-Europeankʷékʷloswheel; circle
5Proto-Indo-Europeankʷel-to turn
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kʷel- →