Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “diaspora” come from?

Diaspora comes from Ancient Greek διασπορά, derived from διασπείρω meaning to scatter or disperse, combining the prefix διά with the root sper- indicating scattering.

diaspora (English): The dispersion of the Jews among the Gentiles...

Definitions

  1. The dispersion of the Jews among the Gentiles...

Ancestry of “diaspora”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekδιασποράscattering, dispersion
2Ancient Greekδιασπείρωto scatter, disperse
3Ancient GreekσπείρωI sow; nominative/accusative/vocative dual of...
4Proto-Hellenicspéřřō—
5Proto-Indo-Europeanspéryeti—
6Proto-Indo-Europeansper-to fidget, twitch; to push; to be quick; to...

Words derived from “diaspora”

  • diasporan
  • Afrodiaspora
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sper- →