Where does “microtephra” come from?

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

microtephra (English): Microscopic deposits of tephra

Definitions

  1. Microscopic deposits of tephra

Ancestry of “microtephra”, step by step

microtephra traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English micro

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishmicroSmall, relatively small; short form of...
2Ancient Greekμικρόςlittle, small
3Proto-Indo-Europeanmēy-soft, tender, dear

via English tephra

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishtephraThe solid material thrown into the air by a...
2Ancient Greekτέφραashes, as of the funeral pyre
3Proto-Indo-Europeandʰegʷʰ-to burn; warm, hot
Every word from Proto-Indo-European mēy-Every word from Ancient Greek μικρόςEvery word from English micro