Where does “theorem” come from?
Theorem comes from Middle French théorème, from Late Latin theorema, from Ancient Greek θεώρημα, a noun formed with the suffix -μα from θεωρός meaning "spectator," derived from θέα "sight" and ϝοράω "to see," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European wer-.
theorem (English): A mathematical statement of some importance that...
Definitions
- A mathematical statement of some importance that...
Ancestry of “theorem”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle French | théorème | — |
| 2 | Latin | theōrēma | a theorem, a proposition to be proved |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | θεώρημα | sight, spectacle; vision, intuition; speculation,... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | θεωρέω | I am sent (as a θεωρός to consult an oracle; I... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | θεωρός | spectator; envoy sent to consult an oracle |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | θέα | view, sight |
| 7 | Proto-Hellenic | *tʰáwā | — |