Where does “biosphere” come from?
biosphere (English) comes from German Biosphäre, from Ancient Greek σφαῖρα, from Ancient Greek -ειδής, from Ancient Greek -ής, from Proto-Indo-European -ēs, from Proto-Indo-European -ess, from Proto-Indo-European -os — Creates action nouns or result nouns from verbs;...
biosphere (English): The part of the Earth and its atmosphere capable...
Definitions
- The part of the Earth and its atmosphere capable...
Ancestry of “biosphere”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | German | Biosphäre | biosphere |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | σφαῖρα | ball, globe, sphere |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | -ειδής | like, connected to, from the nature of, full of;... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | -ής | adjective suffix |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | -ēs | Primarily forms adjectival bahuvrīhi compounds |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | -ess | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | -os | Creates action nouns or result nouns from verbs;... |