Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “ethyl” come from?

Ethyl derives from German Ethyl, which was formed from German Ether, a term for the hypothetical substance thought to permeate space.

ethyl (English): The univalent hydrocarbon radical, CH, formally...

Definitions

  1. The univalent hydrocarbon radical, CH, formally...

Ancestry of “ethyl”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient GreekΑἰθήρUpper Air
2Ancient GreekαἴθωTo ignite, kindle, light; To burn, blaze
3Proto-Hellenic*áitʰō—

Words derived from “ethyl”

  • ethanol
  • ethylene
  • polyethylene
  • ethane
  • diethyl
  • polythene
  • levonorgestrel
  • ethanolamine
  • bioethanol
  • trichloroethylene
  • hydroxyethyl
  • mercaptoethanol
  • diethylstilbestrol
  • ethylenediamine
  • diethylamide
  • ethylbenzene
  • phosphatidylethanolamine
  • trichloroethane
  • tetrafluoroethylene
  • tetraethyl
  • diethylene
  • triethylamine
  • ethanolic
  • ethanoic
Every word from Proto-Hellenic *áitʰō →