Where does “prehistoric” come from?
Prehistoric derives from English pre- plus historic, which comes from Latin historicus, from Ancient Greek ἱστορέω and ἵστωρ, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European wéydtōr meaning one who sees.
prehistoric (English): Of or relating to the epoch before written...
Definitions
- Of or relating to the epoch before written...
Ancestry of “prehistoric”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | historic | Very important; noteworthy: having importance or... |
| 2 | Latin | historicus | historical |
| 3 | Latin | historia | history; account; story |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | ἱστορία | inquiry, examination, systematic observation,... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | ἱστορέω | to inquire, ask; to examine, observe; to record,... |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | ἵστωρ | one who knows law and right, judge; witness; a... |
| 7 | Proto-Hellenic | wístōr | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | wéydtōr | one who has seen, one who knows |
| 9 | Indo-European | *weyd- | — |