Where does “demotic” come from?
Demotic derives from Ancient Greek δημοτικός, from Ancient Greek δῆμος meaning "people" or "district," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European deh₂- meaning "to divide."
demotic (English): Of or for the common people; Of, relating to, or...
Definitions
- Of or for the common people; Of, relating to, or...
Ancestry of “demotic”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient Greek | δημοτικός | common |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | δημότης | commoner |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | δῆμος | district, country, land; the common people; free... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | γράφω | to scratch, cut into; to draw, sketch, paint; to... |
| 5 | Proto-Hellenic | grəpʰō | to scratch, cut or carve into |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | gerbʰ- | to carve |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | ger- | to turn, bend, twist, wind; to tie, bind... |