Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “menarche” come from?

Menarche derives from German Menarche, from Ancient Greek μήν, from Proto-Indo-European mḗh₁n̥s meaning "moon" or "month," ultimately from the root meh₁-.

menarche (English): The onset of menstruation; a girl's first period

Definitions

  1. The onset of menstruation; a girl's first period

Ancestry of “menarche”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1GermanMenarchemenarche
2Ancient GreekμήνAttic form of μείς; used to strengthen...
3Proto-Hellenicménsmonth; the visible moon
4Proto-Indo-Europeanmḗh₁n̥smoon; month
5Proto-Indo-Europeanmeh₁-to measure

Words derived from “menarche”

  • menarcheal
  • postmenarcheal
  • premenarcheal
  • premenarchal
  • postmenarchal
  • menarchal
  • menarchial
  • premenarchial
  • postmenarchial
  • premenarchally
  • postmenarchally
  • menarchic
  • menarched
Every word from Proto-Indo-European meh₁- →