Where does “reagent” come from?

Reagent derives from Latin reago, a verb formed from re- and ago, which descends from Proto-Indo-European h₂eǵ- meaning to drive or act.

reagent (English): A compound or mixture of compounds used to treat...

Definitions

  1. A compound or mixture of compounds used to treat...

Ancestry of “reagent”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1LatinreagoI act upon again, I do again; I react
2Latinrĕ-back, backwards
3Latinprōdūcōto lead or bring forth, forward or out
4Latinprō-forward direction, forward movement
5Proto-Italic*pro-pro- see the Latin entry for further meanings
6Proto-Indo-Europeanpro-toward, forward
7Proto-Indo-Europeanpor-to give birth; forward, through; going, passage
8Proto-Indo-Europeanper-before, in front; first; to go through
9Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥tóspassed , crossed

Words derived from “reagent”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós →Every word from Proto-Indo-European per- →Every word from Latin rĕ- →
reagent — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer