Where does “phallus” come from?
Phallus comes from Latin phallus, from Ancient Greek φαλλός, ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European bʰel- and bʰleh₃-.
phallus (English): A penis, especially when erect; A representation...
Definitions
- A penis, especially when erect; A representation...
Ancestry of “phallus”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | phallus | an iconic phallic figure of the male member borne... |
| 2 | Latin | -oides | -like, -form |
| 3 | Greek | -ο | ending for accusative singular forms (eg δρόμος, ψήφος); and some vocative singular forms |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | εἶδος | That which is seen: form, image, shape;... |
| 5 | Spanish | -scopio | -scope |
| 6 | Latin | -scopium | — |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | σκοπέω | I look, look at, behold; I examine, inspect; 413... |
| 8 | Ancient Greek | σκοπός | watcher, lookout; protector, guardian; spy, scout |
| 9 | Ancient Greek | σκέπτομαι | I look at, examine; I examine, consider, think |
| 10 | Proto-Hellenic | sképťomai | to look at |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | spéḱyeti | to be looking at, to keep looking at |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | speḱ- | to see, to look, to observe |