Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “polychrome” come from?

Polychrome comes from Ancient Greek πολύς combined with Ancient Greek χρῶμα, ultimately deriving from Proto-Indo-European pleh₁-, meaning to fill or be full.

polychrome (English): Using multiple colours; Executed in the manner of...

Definitions

  1. Using multiple colours; Executed in the manner of...

Ancestry of “polychrome”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishpolyPolytechnic; Polyethylene; Polyurethane
2LatinpoliumAlternative form of polion
3LatinpolionA strong-smelling plant, perhaps Teucrium...
4Ancient Greekπόλιονfelty germander
5Ancient Greekπολιόςgrey, grizzled, grizzly; bright, clear, serene; a...
6Proto-Hellenicpoľľós—
7Proto-Indo-EuropeanpolH-yós—
8Proto-Indo-EuropeanpelH-pale, gray
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pelH- →