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Where does “biosynthesis” come from?

Biosynthesis derives from English synthesis and Ancient Greek βίος (life) combined with συντίθημι (to put together), from τίθημι (to place), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European sem- (to put).

biosynthesis (English): The synthesis of organic compounds within a...

Definitions

  1. The synthesis of organic compounds within a...

Ancestry of “biosynthesis”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishbio-life; organic life
2Ancient Greekβίο-—
3Ancient Greekβίοςlife
4Ancient GreekΓένεσις—
5Proto-Hellenicgénetisorigin, source
6Proto-Indo-Europeanǵénh₁tisbirth, production
7Proto-Indo-Europeanǵenh₁-to produce, to beget, to give birth

Words derived from “biosynthesis”

  • biosynthesize
  • photobiosynthesis
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵenh₁- →