Where does “polyethylene” come from?
Polyethylene comes from English ethylene and English ethyl, which derive from Proto-Indo-European pleh₁- meaning to fill or flow.
polyethylene (English): A polymer consisting of many ethylene monomers...
Definitions
- A polymer consisting of many ethylene monomers...
Ancestry of “polyethylene”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | ethylene | The common name for the organic chemical compound... |
| 2 | English | eth- | Used as a combining form to denote the presence... |
| 3 | English | ethyl | The univalent hydrocarbon radical, CH, formally... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | Αἰθήρ | Upper Air |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | αἴθω | To ignite, kindle, light; To burn, blaze |
| 6 | Proto-Hellenic | *áitʰō | to ignite |