Where does “pedophilia” come from?
Pedophilia comes from German Pädophilie, derived from Ancient Greek παῖς meaning "child," from Proto-Hellenic pā́wits, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European péh₂wids.
pedophilia (English): Sexual attraction to children by adults; Sexual...
Definitions
- Sexual attraction to children by adults; Sexual...
Ancestry of “pedophilia”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | German | Pädophilie | pedophilia |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | παιδοφιλία | love of children |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | παιδόφῐλος | loving children |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | παῖς | child, son, daughter; young person, child, boy,... |
| 5 | Proto-Hellenic | pā́wits | child |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | péh₂wids | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | peh₂w- | few, little; smallness |