Where does “phlogiston” come from?
Phlogiston comes from Late Latin phlogiston, from Ancient Greek φλογιστόν, derived from φλογιστός, from φλογίζω, from φλόξ meaning flame, from φλέγω meaning to burn, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰel- and bʰleh₃-.
phlogiston (English): The hypothetical fiery principle formerly assumed...
Definitions
- The hypothetical fiery principle formerly assumed...
Ancestry of “phlogiston”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Latin | phlogiston | — |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | φλογιστόν | — |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | φλογιστός | burnt up, inflammable |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | φλόξ | flame, blaze |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | φλέγω | I set on fire, burn, scorch; I kindle, arouse,... |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰel- | to sound; to speak, roar, bark; shiny, white; to... |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰōl- | — |