Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “nonlinearity” come from?

Nonlinearity derives from English linear, from Latin linearis, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European līno- meaning thread or flax, with the suffix Latin -alis and -itas added to denote the quality of not being linear.

nonlinearity (English): The state of being nonlinear; A deviation from...

Definitions

  1. The state of being nonlinear; A deviation from...

Ancestry of “nonlinearity”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishnon-Used in the sense of no or none, to show lack of...
2Latinnōnus—
3Latinnovenosaccusative masculine plural of novēnus
4Latinnovemnine; 9; first-person singular present active...
5LatinnovoI make new, renew, refresh; I alter, change;...
6Proto-Italicnowāō—
7Proto-Indo-Europeannéweh₂tito renew
8Proto-Indo-Europeannéwosnew
9Proto-Indo-Europeannew-new; to nod, assent to
Every word from Proto-Indo-European new- →