Where does “plectrum” come from?
plectrum (English) comes from Latin plēctrum, from Ancient Greek πλῆκτρον, from Ancient Greek πλήσσω, from Proto-Hellenic plā́ťťō, from Proto-Indo-European pl(e)h₂kyeti, from Proto-Indo-European pel- — to cover, to wrap; skin, hide, cloth; to fold.
plectrum (English): A small piece of plastic, metal, ivory, etc., for...
Definitions
- A small piece of plastic, metal, ivory, etc., for...
Ancestry of “plectrum”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | plēctrum | a plectrum; tool for playing a stringed instrument |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | πλῆκτρον | plectrum; spur |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | πλήσσω | to strike, smite; I am stricken, defeated |
| 4 | Proto-Hellenic | plā́ťťō | — |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | pl(e)h₂kyeti | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | pel- | to cover, to wrap; skin, hide, cloth; to fold |