Where does “melanagogue” come from?
melanagogue (English) comes from English -agogue, from Ancient Greek ἀγωγός, from Ancient Greek ἄγω, from Proto-Hellenic ágō, from Proto-Indo-European h₂éǵeti, from Proto-Indo-European h₂eǵ- — to drive.
melanagogue (English): A medicine supposed to expel black bile or choler
Definitions
- A medicine supposed to expel black bile or choler
Ancestry of “melanagogue”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | -agogue | something that stimulates a flow; someone who... |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | ἀγωγός | leading, guiding; guide, escort; leading to |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | ἄγω | to lead, fetch, bring along (a living creature), take with |
| 4 | Proto-Hellenic | ágō | to lead, to guide |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂éǵeti | to be driving |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eǵ- | to drive |