Where does “tetraethylammonium” come from?

tetraethylammonium (English) comes from English ethyl, from Ancient Greek Αἰθήρ, from Ancient Greek αἴθω, from Proto-Hellenic *áitʰō — to ignite.

tetraethylammonium (English): A quaternary ammonium ion (C2H5)4N+ containing four ethyl groups

Definitions

  1. A quaternary ammonium ion (C2H5)4N+ containing four ethyl groups

Ancestry of “tetraethylammonium”, step by step

tetraethylammonium traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English ethyl

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishethylThe univalent hydrocarbon radical, CH, formally...
2Ancient GreekΑἰθήρUpper Air
3Ancient GreekαἴθωTo ignite, kindle, light; To burn, blaze
4Proto-Hellenic*áitʰōto ignite

via English ammonium

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishammoniumThe univalent NH cation, derived by the...
2New Latinammōnium—
Every word from Proto-Hellenic *áitʰō →Every word from Ancient Greek αἴθω →Every word from Ancient Greek Αἰθήρ →