Where does “cataractous” come from?
cataractous (English) comes from English cataract, from Middle English cataract, from Middle Dutch cataracte, from Latin cataracta, from Ancient Greek καταράκτης, from Ancient Greek καταράσσω, from Ancient Greek κατα-, from Ancient Greek κατά — to be/become dry; to burn, to glow; hearth.
cataractous (English): Of the nature of a cataract in the eye; Affected...
Definitions
- Of the nature of a cataract in the eye; Affected...
Ancestry of “cataractous”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | cataract | A waterspout; A large waterfall; steep rapids in... |
| 2 | Middle English | cataract | cataract; A gate guarding the entrance to Heaven |
| 3 | Middle Dutch | cataracte | — |
| 4 | Latin | cataracta | waterfall; drawbridge, portcullis |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | καταράκτης | — |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | καταράσσω | I pour down; pour down |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | κατα- | back; downwards; against |
| 8 | Ancient Greek | κατά | |
| 9 | Ancient Greek | καταστερίζω | to place among the stars; I put among the stars |
| 10 | Ancient Greek | ἀστήρ | a celestial body; illustrious person; starfish |
| 11 | Proto-Hellenic | astḗr | star |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂stḗr | star |
| 13 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eHs- | to be/become dry; to burn, to glow; hearth |