Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “sinus” come from?

Sinus comes from Latin sinus, borrowed from Arabic جَيْب, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European gʷih₃-éh₂ meaning to live or dwell, with sense evolution through Sanskrit ज्या and intermediate Proto-Indo-European and Proto-Indo-Iranian forms.

sinus (English): A pouch or cavity in any organ or tissue,...

Definitions

  1. A pouch or cavity in any organ or tissue,...

Ancestry of “sinus”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinsinusa hollow, cavity; curve, fold, winding; gulf, bay
2Arabicجَيْبpocket; opening in a garment; pocket; bosom, fold...
3Sanskritज्याbow-string, tendon; sine
4Sanskritजीवalive, living; life, existence; any living being,...
5Proto-Indo-Aryanȷ́iHwás—
6Proto-Indo-IranianǰiHwásalive
7Proto-Indo-Europeangʷih₃wósalive, living
8Proto-Indo-Europeangʷeih₃w-to live

Words derived from “sinus”

  • sinusitis
  • rhinosinusitis
  • sinusotomy
  • pansinusitis
  • nonsinus
  • barosinusitis
  • nasosinusal
  • nasosinusitis
  • aerosinusitis
  • sinuitis
  • sinuslike
  • polysinusitis
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʷeih₃w- →