Where does “chiasm” come from?

Chiasm comes from Latin chiasma, meaning a crossing or X-shaped arrangement.

chiasm (English): Alternative form of chiasma; Alternative form of...

Definitions

chiasm traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	French	chiasme	chiasmus
2	Latin	chiasmus	marking with an X
3	Ancient Greek	χιασμός	marked with an X; crosswise arrangement
4	Ancient Greek	χιάζειν	to mark with a chi; to mark with the letter chi
5	Ancient Greek	Χ	Chi; chi
6	Ancient Greek	Χριστός	anointed; messiah; annointed, the annointed one,...
7	Ancient Greek	χρίω	to rub or smear (especially the body) with oil or unguents; to anoint
8	Proto-Indo-European	gʰrēy-	to smear; to paint, streak, smear
9	Proto-Indo-European	gʰer-	to rub; to stroke; to grind

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	Latin	chiasma	—
2	Ancient Greek	χίασμα	crosspiece