Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “cremation” come from?

Cremation derives from Latin crematio, formed from the Latin verb cremare combined with the suffix -tio, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ker- meaning to burn or char.

cremation (English): A burning; especially the act or practice of...

Definitions

  1. A burning; especially the act or practice of...

Ancestry of “cremation”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latincrematioburning; cremation
2Latin-tiō—
3Latindissertātiō—
4Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
5Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
6Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
7Latincalceusshoe
8Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
9Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble

Words derived from “cremation”

  • cremationist
  • precremation
  • cremationism
  • biocremation
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →