Where does “polypus” come from?

Polypus comes from Latin polypus, from Ancient Greek πολύπους, combining πολύ- (many) and πούς (foot), which derives from Proto-Indo-European pṓds and ultimately ped-, referring to a creature with multiple appendages.

polypus (English): A cardiac thrombus usually found post-mortem; An...

Definitions

  1. A cardiac thrombus usually found post-mortem; An...

Ancestry of “polypus”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinpolypūsoctopus
2Ancient Greekπολύπουςmany-footed
3Ancient Greekπολῠ-many; much, a lot
4Ancient Greekπολύςmany, a lot of; neuter πολύ or πολλά as...
5Ancient Greekπόροςa means of passage, passageway, way, opening;...
6Ancient GreekπείρωI pierce, run through; I cleave through
7Proto-Hellenic*péryō
Every word from Proto-Hellenic *péryōEvery word from Ancient Greek πείρωEvery word from Ancient Greek πόρος
polypus — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer