Where does “theoretically” come from?
Theoretically derives from English theoretical, from English theoretic, from Ancient Greek θεωρητικός, ultimately from Proto-Germanic galīkaz and Proto-Indo-European roots ḱóm and līg-.
theoretically (English): in theory; on paper; in a theoretical manner
Definitions
- in theory; on paper; in a theoretical manner
Ancestry of “theoretically”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | theoretical | Of or relating to theory; abstract; not empirical |
| 2 | English | theoretic | Concerned with theories or hypotheses rather than... |
| 3 | English | theory | A description of an event or system that is... |
| 4 | Middle French | théorie | — |
| 5 | Late Latin | theoria | contemplation, speculation; speculation, theory |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | θεωρός | spectator; envoy sent to consult an oracle |
| 7 | Ancient Greek | θέα | view, sight |
| 8 | Proto-Hellenic | *tʰáwā | — |