Where does “polyglotism” come from?
polyglotism (English) comes from English polyglot, from Ancient Greek πολύγλωττος, from Ancient Greek γλῶττα, from Ancient Greek γλῶσσα, from Old Norse glotta, from Proto-Germanic glutōną, from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰel- — to shine, glimmer, glow; to shimmer, gleam;...
polyglotism (English): The use, notably in speech, of several languages;...
Definitions
- The use, notably in speech, of several languages;...
Ancestry of “polyglotism”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | polyglot | Versed in, or speaking, many languages;... |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | πολύγλωττος | many-tongued, polyglot |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | γλῶττα | Attic form of γλῶσσα |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | γλῶσσα | a tongue; a language; the mouthpiece of a pipe |
| 5 | Old Norse | glotta | to grin, smile scornfully |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | glutōną | To stare; gawk |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | ǵʰel- | to shine, glimmer, glow; to shimmer, gleam;... |