Where does “protobiology” come from?

protobiology (English) comes from English proto, from English proto-, from Ancient Greek πρωτο-, from Ancient Greek πρῶτος, from Ancient Greek πρό, from Proto-Indo-European pró, from Proto-Indo-European per-, from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós — passed , crossed.

protobiology (English): The study of very small biological structures,...

Definitions

  1. The study of very small biological structures,...

Ancestry of “protobiology”, step by step

protobiology traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English proto

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishprotoPrototypical; preceding the proper beginning of...
2Englishproto-first; most recent common ancestor of; Relating...
3Ancient Greekπρωτο-first, primary
4Ancient Greekπρῶτοςfirst; earliest; foremost, most prominent
5Ancient Greekπρόbefore; before, in front, forth, forward; before,...
6Proto-Indo-Europeanprótoward, leading to
7Proto-Indo-Europeanper-before, in front; first; to go through
8Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥tóspassed , crossed

via English Biology

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishBiologyThe study of all life or living matter
2New Latinbiologia
3Ancient Greekβίοςlife
4Ancient GreekΓένεσιςGenesis. The title of the first book of the Bible and Pentateuch as in the Septuagint translation in Greek
5Proto-Hellenicgénetisorigin, source
6Proto-Indo-Europeanǵénh₁tisbirth, production
7Proto-Indo-Europeanǵenh₁-to produce, to beget, to give birth
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tósEvery word from Proto-Indo-European per-Every word from Proto-Indo-European pró