Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “prediluvian” come from?

prediluvian (English) comes from English diluvian, from Latin dīluvium, from Latin dīluō, from Latin dis-, from Latin calceus, from Latin calx, from Ancient Greek χάλιξ — small stone, pebble; gravel, rubble.

prediluvian (English): Before the Flood; antediluvian

Definitions

  1. Before the Flood; antediluvian

Ancestry of “prediluvian”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishdiluvianPertaining to a deluge, or flood; diluvial
2Latindīluvium—
3Latindīluō—
4Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
5Latincalceusshoe
6Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
7Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →