Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “circadian” come from?

Circadian derives from Latin circa meaning "around" and Latin dies meaning "day," ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European dyew- meaning "to shine."

circadian (English): of, relating to, or showing rhythmic behaviour...

Definitions

  1. of, relating to, or showing rhythmic behaviour...

Ancestry of “circadian”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latindiēs—
2Proto-Italicdjēmaccusative singular of *djous
3Proto-Italic*djous—
4Proto-Indo-Europeandyḗwssky, heaven; sky god
5Proto-Indo-Europeandyéws—
6Proto-Indo-Europeandyew-to be bright; sky, heaven

Words derived from “circadian”

  • circadianly
  • noncircadian
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dyew- →