Where does “phosphorous” come from?
Phosphorous comes from Latin phosphorus, from Ancient Greek φωσφόρος meaning "light-bearing," derived from φέρω "to carry" and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European bʰer-.
phosphorous (English): Of or pertaining to phosphorus; Resembling...
Definitions
- Of or pertaining to phosphorus; Resembling...
Ancestry of “phosphorous”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Phosphorus | A name sometimes used for Hesperus, the personification in Greek mythology of the planet Venus |
| 2 | Latin | phōsphorus | phosphorus |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | Φωσφόρος | the bearer of light |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | -φόρος | -bearing, -carrying; carrying, bearing; bringing |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | φέρω | I bring, bear, carry |
| 6 | Proto-Hellenic | pʰérō | to bear |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰéreti | to be carrying |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰēr- | shiny, light brown |