Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “poly” come from?

Poly derives from Latin polium, a plant name of uncertain ultimate origin.

poly (English): Polytechnic; Polyethylene; Polyurethane

Definitions

  1. Polytechnic; Polyethylene; Polyurethane

Ancestry of “poly”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1LatinpoliumAlternative form of polion
2LatinpolionA strong-smelling plant, perhaps Teucrium...
3Ancient Greekπόλιονfelty germander
4Ancient Greekπολιόςgrey, grizzled, grizzly; bright, clear, serene; a...
5Proto-Hellenicpoľľós—
6Proto-Indo-EuropeanpolH-yós—
7Proto-Indo-EuropeanpelH-pale, gray

Words derived from “poly”

  • polyamorous
  • polymesh
  • polyadelphous
  • polymelia
  • polyphobic
  • polyamorously
  • polypile
  • polyommatous
  • polyless
  • polycount
  • polyoptrum
  • polyeidic
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pelH- →