Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “helico-” come from?

helico- (English) comes from Latin helic-, from Ancient Greek ἕλιξ, from Ancient Greek πτερόν, from Proto-Indo-European péth₂r̥, from Proto-Indo-European peth₂- — to spread out; to fly.

helico- (English): helix, spiral; snails

Definitions

  1. helix, spiral; snails

Ancestry of “helico-”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinhelic-—
2Ancient GreekἕλιξAnything twisted, winding, or spiral; The tendril...
3Ancient Greekπτερόνfeather; wing; Any winged creature
4Proto-Indo-Europeanpéth₂r̥wing; feather
5Proto-Indo-Europeanpeth₂-to spread out; to fly

Words derived from “helico-”

  • helicograph
  • helicocone
  • helicospore
Every word from Proto-Indo-European peth₂- →