Where does “neutron” come from?
Neutron derives from English neutral, from Ancient Greek -ον, from Latin neutralis meaning neither of two, from Latin -alis, Latin ne meaning not, Proto-Indo-European ne, and Proto-Indo-European wed- and kʷos.
neutron (English): A subatomic particle forming part of the nucleus...
Definitions
- A subatomic particle forming part of the nucleus...
Ancestry of “neutron”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | neutral | Not taking sides in a conflict such as war;... |
| 2 | Middle French | neutral | — |
| 3 | Old French | neutral | — |
| 4 | Latin | neutrālis | neuter |
| 5 | Latin | neuter | neither; neuter; neuter, intransitive |
| 6 | Latin | nē | no; not |
| 7 | Latin | gēns | Roman clan (related by birth or marriage and sharing a common name and often united by certain religious rites) |
| 8 | Proto-Italic | *gentis | — |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵénh₁tis | birth, production |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵenh₁- | to produce, to beget, to give birth |