Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “polygamous” come from?

Polygamous comes from Ancient Greek γάμος meaning marriage, derived from Proto-Indo-European polh₁ús, ultimately from the root pleh₁- meaning to fill or multiply.

polygamous (English): Of, relating to, or practicing polygamy;...

Definitions

  1. Of, relating to, or practicing polygamy;...

Ancestry of “polygamous”, 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

Words derived from “polygamous”

  • polygamously
  • polygamodioecious
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pelH- →