Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “omphaloskepsis” come from?

omphaloskepsis (English) comes from Ancient Greek ὀμφαλός, from Proto-Indo-European h₃m̥bʰ-, from Proto-Indo-European h₃nebʰ- — hub; navel.

omphaloskepsis (English): Contemplation of or meditation upon one's navel;...

Definitions

  1. Contemplation of or meditation upon one's navel;...

Ancestry of “omphaloskepsis”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekὀμφαλόςnavel; umbilical cord; anything shaped like a...
2Proto-Indo-Europeanh₃m̥bʰ-—
3Proto-Indo-Europeanh₃nebʰ-hub; navel
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₃nebʰ- →