Etymology Explorer › English

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

  1. The hypothetical fiery principle formerly assumed...

Ancestry of “phlogiston”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1New Latinphlogiston—
2Ancient Greekφλογιστόν—
3Ancient Greekφλογιστόςburnt up, inflammable
4Ancient Greekφλόξflame, blaze
5Ancient GreekφλέγωI set on fire, burn, scorch; I kindle, arouse,...
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰel-to sound; to speak, roar, bark; shiny, white; to...
7Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰōl-—

Words derived from “phlogiston”

  • phlogistonism
  • phlogistonist
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰōl- →