Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “microphthalmia” come from?

microphthalmia (English) comes from English micr-, from Ancient Greek μικρός, from Proto-Indo-European mēy- — soft, tender, dear.

microphthalmia (English): The presence of abnormally small eyes

Definitions

  1. The presence of abnormally small eyes

Ancestry of “microphthalmia”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishmicr-Alternative form of micro-
2Ancient Greekμικρόςlittle, small
3Proto-Indo-Europeanmēy-soft, tender, dear
Every word from Proto-Indo-European mēy- →