Where does “polythene” come from?
Polythene comes from English polyethylene, from English ethylene, from English ethyl, from Proto-Indo-European polh₁ús, from Proto-Indo-European pleh₁-.
polythene (English): A light thermoplastic used in packaging etc.;...
Definitions
- A light thermoplastic used in packaging etc.;...
Ancestry of “polythene”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | polyethylene | A polymer consisting of many ethylene monomers... |
| 2 | English | ethylene | The common name for the organic chemical compound... |
| 3 | English | eth- | Used as a combining form to denote the presence... |
| 4 | English | ethyl | The univalent hydrocarbon radical, CH, formally... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | Αἰθήρ | Upper Air |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | αἴθω | To ignite, kindle, light; To burn, blaze |
| 7 | Proto-Hellenic | *áitʰō | to ignite |