Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “phenomenon” come from?

Phenomenon derives from Late Latin phaenomenon, from Ancient Greek φαινόμενον, the neuter past participle of φαίνω meaning "to show or appear," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰeh₂-.

phenomenon (English): A thing or being, event or process, perceptible...

Definitions

  1. A thing or being, event or process, perceptible...

Ancestry of “phenomenon”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Late Latinphaenomenonappearance; phenomenon
2Ancient Greekφαινόμενονmasculine accusative singular of φαινόμενος ,...
3Ancient GreekφαίνωI cause to appear, bring to light; I show,...
4English-typeimpressed form; stamp; print; typical form; Used...
5Ancient GreekτύποςA blow, pressing; The results of a blow: mark,...
6Ancient Greekτύπτωto beat, strike, smite; to beat, strike oneself
7Proto-Indo-European(s)tewp-to push, to stick
8Proto-Indo-European(s)tew-to push, to hit

Words derived from “phenomenon”

  • phenomena
  • phenomenal
  • phenomenological
  • phenomenology
  • phenomenally
  • phenomenologically
  • phenology
  • epiphenomenon
  • phenomenologist
  • epiphenomenal
  • phenomenalism
  • phenological
  • phenomenality
  • epiphenomenalism
  • phenom
  • phenomenalist
  • phenomenalistic
  • phenomenography
  • epiphenomenalist
  • neurophenomenology
  • heterophenomenology
  • nonphenomenological
  • postphenomenological
  • neurophenomenological
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)tew- →