Where does “semantics” come from?
Semantics derives from French sémantique, from Ancient Greek σημαντικός, combining σῆμα meaning sign with the adjectival suffix -ικός, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European -kos.
semantics (English): A branch of linguistics studying the meaning of...
Definitions
- A branch of linguistics studying the meaning of...
Ancestry of “semantics”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French | sémantique | semantic; semantics |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | σημαντικός | significant, giving signs |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | -ικός | of or pertaining to, in the manner of; -ic |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | -κός | forms adjectives with the sense of 'of or... |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | -ḱos | -y, -ic |