Where does “blaspheme” come from?
Blaspheme comes from Middle English blasfemye, from Old French blasfemie, from Ancient Greek βλασφημέω meaning to speak profanely, derived from φήμη meaning speech or utterance.
blaspheme (English): To commit blasphemy; to speak against God or...
Definitions
- To commit blasphemy; to speak against God or...
Ancestry of “blaspheme”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | blasfemen | to blaspheme; to speak against a deity; to act... |
| 2 | Old French | blasfemer | — |
| 3 | Latin | blasphēmō | to blaspheme, reproach, revile |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | βλασφημέω | I speak profanely of sacred things, blaspheme; I... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | βλάσφημος | uttering ill-omened words; jinx; reviling,... |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | φήμη | prophetic voice, oracle; rumor; reputation |
| 7 | Proto-Hellenic | pʰā́mā | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰeh₂-meh₂ | — |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰeh₂- | to shine, glow light; to speak, say |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰeh₂-s-ri- | — |