Where does “tetrahelix” come from?

tetrahelix (English) comes from English helix, from Latin helīx, from Ancient Greek ἕλιξ, from Ancient Greek πτερόν, from Proto-Indo-European péth₂r̥, from Proto-Indo-European peth₂- — to spread out; to fly.

tetrahelix (English): A helix formed from tetrahedra linked face to face

Definitions

  1. A helix formed from tetrahedra linked face to face

Ancestry of “tetrahelix”, step by step

tetrahelix traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English helix

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishhelixA curve on the surface of a cylinder or cone such...
2Latinhelīxa kind of ivy
3Ancient GreekἕλιξAnything twisted, winding, or spiral; The tendril...
4Ancient Greekπτερόνfeather; wing; Any winged creature
5Proto-Indo-Europeanpéth₂r̥wing; feather
6Proto-Indo-Europeanpeth₂-to spread out; to fly

via English tetra

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishtetraAny of numerous species of small South American...
2TranslingualTetragonopterus
Every word from Proto-Indo-European peth₂-Every word from Proto-Indo-European péth₂r̥Every word from Ancient Greek πτερόν