Where does “organophosphate” come from?
Organophosphate is a compound combining organo- with phosphate, which derives from French phosphate, from Latin phosphorus, from Ancient Greek φωσφόρος meaning "light-bearing," from φέρω meaning "to carry" and ultimately Proto-Indo-European bʰer-.
organophosphate (English): Any ester of phosphoric acid or its derivatives,...
Definitions
- Any ester of phosphoric acid or its derivatives,...
Ancestry of “organophosphate”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | phosphate | Any salt or ester of phosphoric acid; A... |
| 2 | French | phosphate | phosphate |
| 3 | French | phosphore | phosphorus |
| 4 | New Latin | phōsphorus | — |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | Φωσφόρος | the bearer of light |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | -φόρος | -bearing, -carrying; carrying, bearing; bringing |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | φέρω | I bring, bear, carry |
| 8 | Proto-Hellenic | pʰérō | to bear |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰéreti | to be carrying |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰēr- | shiny, light brown |