Where does “retrosynthesis” come from?
retrosynthesis (English) comes from English retro, from French rétro, from French rétroviseur, from French rétro-, from Latin retrō, from Latin dūcere, from Proto-Italic doukō, from Proto-Indo-European déwketi — to pull, to draw; to lead.
retrosynthesis (English): The prediction of precursors (intermediates and reactants), given the products of a synthesis reaction
Definitions
- The prediction of precursors (intermediates and reactants), given the products of a synthesis reaction
Ancestry of “retrosynthesis”, step by step
retrosynthesis traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English retro
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | retro | Of, or relating to, the past, past times, or the... |
| 2 | French | rétro | shortening of rétroviseur, mirror; retro |
| 3 | French | rétroviseur | rear-view mirror |
| 4 | French | rétro- | retro-, back, behind |
| 5 | Latin | retrō | back, backwards, behind |
| 6 | Latin | dūcere | — |
| 7 | Proto-Italic | doukō | lead |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | déwketi | — |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | dewk- | to pull, to draw; to lead |
via English synthesis
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | synthesis | The formation of something complex or coherent by... |
| 2 | Latin | synthesis | A collection or reunion of many objects of... |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | σύνθεσις | a putting together, composition, combination,... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | συντίθημι | to assemble, put together |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | σῠν- | together; with, together |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | σύν | beside, with |
| 7 | Proto-Hellenic | *ksún | beside, with |