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
- of, relating to, or showing rhythmic behaviour...
Ancestry of “circadian”, step by step
circadian traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.
via Latin diēs
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | diēs | A day, particularly |
| 2 | Proto-Italic | djēm | accusative singular of *djous |
| 3 | Proto-Italic | *djous | — |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | dyḗws | sky, heaven; sky god |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | dyéws | sky, heaven |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | dyew- | to be bright; sky, heaven |
via Latin circā
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | circā | — |
| 2 | Latin | circum | about, around; in a circle, all around, on both... |
| 3 | Latin | circus | a circular line or orbit; circle, ring; a... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | κρίκος | ring |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)ḱer- | dung, manure, filth; manure, dung, filth |
via French circadien
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French | circadien | circadian |