Where does “spermophile” come from?
spermophile (English) comes from Ancient Greek φιλέω, from Ancient Greek ἀτέλεια, from Ancient Greek ἀ-, from Proto-Hellenic hə-, from Proto-Indo-European sm̥-, from Proto-Indo-European sem- — together, one.
spermophile (English): A terrestrial burrowing rodent; ground squirrel
Definitions
- A terrestrial burrowing rodent; ground squirrel
Ancestry of “spermophile”, step by step
spermophile traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Ancient Greek φιλέω
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient Greek | φιλέω | I love, like, regard highly; I treat kindly,... |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | ἀτέλεια | exemption from public burdens, immunity |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | ἀ- | The alpha privativum, used to make words that... |
| 4 | Proto-Hellenic | hə- | same; together |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | sm̥- | one; with, together |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | sem- | together, one |