Where does “polyphenyl” come from?

polyphenyl (English) comes from English poly, from Latin polium, from Latin polion, from Ancient Greek πόλιον, from Ancient Greek πολιός, from Proto-Hellenic poľľós, from Proto-Indo-European polH-yós, from Proto-Indo-European pelH- — pale, gray.

polyphenyl (English): Many phenyl groups in a molecule

Definitions

  1. Many phenyl groups in a molecule

Ancestry of “polyphenyl”, step by step

polyphenyl traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English poly

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-Hellenicpoľľósgrey
7Proto-Indo-EuropeanpolH-yós
8Proto-Indo-EuropeanpelH-pale, gray

via English phenyl

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishphenylA univalent hydrocarbon radical formally derived...
2Frenchphénylephenyl
3French-yle
4Ancient GreekὝληwood; trees; forest
5Proto-Indo-Europeanswel-to smolder; burn; scorch; beam, board, frame,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pelH-Every word from Proto-Indo-European polH-yósEvery word from Proto-Hellenic poľľós