Where does “poly” come from?
Poly derives from Latin polium, a plant name of uncertain ultimate origin.
poly (English): Polytechnic; Polyethylene; Polyurethane
Definitions
- Polytechnic; Polyethylene; Polyurethane
Ancestry of “poly”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | polium | Alternative form of polion |
| 2 | Latin | polion | A strong-smelling plant, perhaps Teucrium... |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | πόλιον | felty germander |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | πολιός | grey, grizzled, grizzly; bright, clear, serene; a... |
| 5 | Proto-Hellenic | poľľós | grey |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | polH-yós | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | pelH- | pale, gray |