Where does “polymorphous” come from?
Polymorphous comes from Latin polymorphus, from Ancient Greek πολύμορφος, combining πολύ- (many) with μορφή (form), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European pleh₁- (to fill or be full).
polymorphous (English): Having, or assuming, a variety of forms,...
Definitions
- Having, or assuming, a variety of forms,...
Ancestry of “polymorphous”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | polymorphus | polymorphous, polymorphic |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | πολύμορφος | multiform, manifold |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | πολύς | many, a lot of; neuter πολύ or πολλά as... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | πόρος | a means of passage, passageway, way, opening;... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | πείρω | I pierce, run through; I cleave through |
| 6 | Proto-Hellenic | *péryō | — |