Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “epicurean” come from?

Epicurean derives from Old French Epicurien, from Latin Epicureus, from Ancient Greek Ἐπικούρειος, ultimately from ἐπίκουρος with the prefix ἐπι-.

epicurean (English): Pursuing pleasure, especially in reference to...

Definitions

  1. Pursuing pleasure, especially in reference to...

Ancestry of “epicurean”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old FrenchEpicurien—
2LatinEpicureus—
3Ancient GreekἘπικούρειος—
4Ancient Greekἐπίκουροςassisting, aiding; defending; helper, ally,...
5Ancient Greekἐπι-on, upon, on top of, all over, covering; on,...
6Ancient Greekἐπίas well, besides; For usage in composition, see...
7Ancient GreekἩμέρα—
8Ancient Greekἦμαρday; by day; midday
9Proto-Hellenicā́mər—
10Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eh₃mr̥heat
11Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eh₃-to be hot; to burn
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eh₃- →