Where does “submicron” come from?

Submicron combines the Latin prefix sub- meaning "under" with micron, which derives from Ancient Greek μικρός meaning "small," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European smēyg-.

submicron (English): Smaller than micron-scale

Definitions

  1. Smaller than micron-scale

Ancestry of “submicron”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishmicronThe thousandth part of one millimeter; the...
2Frenchmicronmicron
3Ancient Greekμικρόνneuter nominative singular of μικρός; neuter...
4Ancient Greekμικρόςlittle, small
5Proto-Indo-Europeanmēy-soft, tender, dear
Every word from Proto-Indo-European mēy- →Every word from Ancient Greek μικρός →Every word from Ancient Greek μικρόν →