Where does “elementary” come from?
Elementary derives from Latin elementarius, formed from Latin elementum, meaning the basic components or first principles of a subject.
elementary (English): Relating to the basic, essential or fundamental...
Definitions
- Relating to the basic, essential or fundamental...
Ancestry of “elementary”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | elementārius | elementary |
| 2 | Latin | elementum | one of four elements that composed the world;... |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | στοιχεῖον | one of a row; one of a series, a component part,... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | στοῖχος | row in an ascending series; a line of poles... |
| 5 | Proto-Hellenic | stóikʰos | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | stóygʰ-os | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | steygʰ- | to go; to climb |