Where does “spore” come from?

Spore comes from Latin spora, from Ancient Greek σπορά, derived from the verb σπείρω meaning "to sow," with the feminine noun suffix -ᾱ ultimately from Proto-Indo-European -eh₂ and the root sper-.

spore (English): A reproductive particle, usually a single cell,...

Definitions

  1. A reproductive particle, usually a single cell,...

Ancestry of “spore”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1New Latinsporaspore
2Ancient Greekσποράseed
3Ancient GreekσπείρωI sow; nominative/accusative/vocative dual of...
4Proto-Hellenicspéřřō—
5Proto-Indo-Europeanspéryeti—
6Proto-Indo-Europeansper-to fidget, twitch; to push; to be quick; to...

Words derived from “spore”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European sper- →