Where does “elemental” come from?
Elemental comes from English element, which derives from Latin elementum, with the suffix -al added in English to form the adjective meaning of or relating to elements.
elemental (English): Of, relating to, or being an element; Basic,...
Definitions
- Of, relating to, or being an element; Basic,...
Ancestry of “elemental”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | element | One of the simplest or essential parts or... |
| 2 | Middle English | element | — |
| 3 | Old French | element | — |
| 4 | Latin | elementum | one of four elements that composed the world;... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | στοιχεῖον | one of a row; one of a series, a component part,... |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | στοῖχος | row in an ascending series; a line of poles... |
| 7 | Proto-Hellenic | stóikʰos | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | stóygʰ-os | — |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | steygʰ- | to go; to climb |