Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “classification” come from?

Classification derives from French classification, from French classe, from Latin classis meaning a social division or class, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European kelh₁- meaning to call or summon.

classification (English): The act of forming into a class or classes; a...

Definitions

  1. The act of forming into a class or classes; a...

Ancestry of “classification”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchclassificationclassification
2French-ation-ation
3Middle French-ation-ation
4Old French-ation-ation
5Latin-ātiō—
6Latin-tiō—
7Latindissertātiō—
8Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
9Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
10Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
11Latincalceusshoe
12Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
13Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble

Words derived from “classification”

  • reclassification
  • misclassification
  • subclassification
  • overclassification
  • classificational
  • multiclassification
  • classificationist
  • classificationism
  • classificationally
  • autoclassification
  • microclassification
  • seroclassification
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →