Where does “nematic” come from?

Nematic derives from Ancient Greek νήματος, the genitive of νῆμα meaning thread, from the suffix -μα, tracing to Proto-Indo-European (s)neh₁- and (s)neh₂-.

nematic (English): Whose molecules align in loose parallel lines; A...

Definitions

  1. Whose molecules align in loose parallel lines; A...

Ancestry of “nematic”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient GreekνῆμαThat which is spun: thread, yarn; silk; strand of...
2Ancient GreekνέωI swim; I float; I spin
3Ancient GreekνάωI flow
4Proto-Indo-European(s)neh₂-to swim; to float

Words derived from “nematic”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)neh₂- →Every word from Ancient Greek νάω →Every word from Ancient Greek νέω →