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
- The dispersion of the Jews among the Gentiles...
Ancestry of “diaspora”, step by step
diaspora traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Ancient Greek διασπορά
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient Greek | διασπορά | scattering, dispersion |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | διασπείρω | to scatter, disperse |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | σπείρω | I sow; nominative/accusative/vocative dual of... |
| 4 | Proto-Hellenic | spéřřō | — |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | spéryeti | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | sper- | to fidget, twitch; to push; to be quick; to... |
via Ancient Greek διασπορᾱ́
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient Greek | διασπορᾱ́ | scattering, dispersion |