Where does “kleptomaniac” come from?
kleptomaniac (English) comes from Ancient Greek κλέπτω, from Proto-Hellenic klépťō, from Proto-Indo-European klép-ye-ti, from Proto-Indo-European ḱlep-, from Proto-Indo-European klep- — to steal.
kleptomaniac (English): One who steals compulsively
Definitions
- One who steals compulsively
Ancestry of “kleptomaniac”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient Greek | κλέπτω | I steal, filch; I cheat; I mislead, keep secret |
| 2 | Proto-Hellenic | klépťō | to steal |
| 3 | Proto-Indo-European | klép-ye-ti | — |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱlep- | to steal |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | klep- | to steal |