Where does “cataract” come from?
Cataract comes from Latin cataracta, from Ancient Greek καταράκτης, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ḱóm meaning "down."
cataract (English): A waterspout; A large waterfall; steep rapids in...
Definitions
- A waterspout; A large waterfall; steep rapids in...
Ancestry of “cataract”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | cataract | cataract; A gate guarding the entrance to Heaven |
| 2 | Middle Dutch | cataracte | — |
| 3 | Latin | cataracta | waterfall; drawbridge, portcullis |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | καταράκτης | — |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | καταράσσω | I pour down; pour down |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | κατα- | back; downwards; against |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | κατά | |
| 8 | Ancient Greek | καταστερίζω | to place among the stars; I put among the stars |
| 9 | Ancient Greek | ἀστήρ | a celestial body; illustrious person; starfish |
| 10 | Proto-Hellenic | astḗr | star |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂stḗr | star |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eHs- | to be/become dry; to burn, to glow; hearth |