Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “epidermis” come from?

Epidermis comes from Latin epidermis, from Ancient Greek ἐπί meaning "upon" and δέρω meaning "to skin," from Proto-Indo-European der-.

epidermis (English): The outer, protective layer of the skin of...

Definitions

  1. The outer, protective layer of the skin of...

Ancestry of “epidermis”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinepidermisepidermis, cuticle, surface skin
2Ancient GreekἐπιδερμίςOuter skin, epidermis; Web of waterbirds' feet
3Ancient Greekἐπι-on, upon, on top of, all over, covering; on,...
4Ancient Greekἐπίas well, besides; For usage in composition, see...
5Ancient GreekἩμέρα—
6Ancient Greekἦμαρday; by day; midday
7Proto-Hellenicā́mər—
8Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eh₃mr̥heat
9Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eh₃-to be hot; to burn

Words derived from “epidermis”

  • epidermose
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eh₃- →