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
- Smaller than micron-scale
Ancestry of “submicron”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | micron | The thousandth part of one millimeter; the... |
| 2 | French | micron | — |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | μικρόν | neuter nominative singular of μικρός; neuter... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | μικρός | little, small |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | mēy- | soft, tender, dear |