Where does “idiom” come from?

Idiom comes from Middle French idiome, derived from Late Latin idiōma meaning "peculiarity of language or phrasing."

idiom (English): A manner of speaking, a mode of expression...

Definitions

  1. A manner of speaking, a mode of expression...

Ancestry of “idiom”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Frenchidiomelanguage
2Latinidiōmaidiom style of language
3Ancient Greekἰδίωμαpeculiarity, specific property, unique feature;...
4Ancient Greekἰδιοῦσθαιto make one's own, appropriate to oneself
5Ancient Greekἴδιοςpertaining to self, that is, one's own; private;...
6Proto-Hellenic*hwédios—

Words derived from “idiom”

Every word from Proto-Hellenic *hwédios →Every word from Ancient Greek ἴδιος →Every word from Ancient Greek ἰδιοῦσθαι →