Where does “lesbianism” come from?
Lesbianism derives from English lesbian plus the suffix -ism, with lesbian coming from Ancient Greek Lesbianism, the island Λέσβος via Latin -ianus and -ius formations.
lesbianism (English): Female homosexuality; the state of being...
Definitions
- Female homosexuality; the state of being...
Ancestry of “lesbianism”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | lesbian | Homosexual, gay; preferring mostly or exclusively... |
| 2 | Latin | Lesbius | Lesbian |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | Λέσβιος | Lesbian |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | Λέσβος | Lesbos |
| 5 | Hittite | 𒌷𒆷𒊍𒉺 | — |
| 6 | Akkadian | 𒉺 | overseer; foreman; instructor |