Where does “sememe” come from?
sememe (English) comes from Ancient Greek σημαίνω, from Ancient Greek -αίνω, from Proto-Indo-European terh₁- — to rub, turn; to drill, pierce.
sememe (English): The smallest unit of meaning; especially the...
Definitions
- The smallest unit of meaning; especially the...
Ancestry of “sememe”, step by step
sememe traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Ancient Greek σημαίνω
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient Greek | σημαίνω | I show, point out, indicate; I signal someone to... |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | -αίνω | Originally found in verbs formed from nominal... |
| 3 | Proto-Indo-European | terh₁- | to rub, turn; to drill, pierce |
via French sème
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French | sème | first-person singular present indicative of... |