Where does “theory” come from?
Theory comes from Middle French théorie, from Late Latin theoria, from Ancient Greek θεωρία, derived from the verb θεωρέω, itself from θεωρός, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European wer-.
theory (English): A description of an event or system that is...
Definitions
- A description of an event or system that is...
Ancestry of “theory”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle French | théorie | — |
| 2 | Late Latin | theoria | contemplation, speculation; speculation, theory |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | θεωρός | spectator; envoy sent to consult an oracle |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | θέα | view, sight |
| 5 | Proto-Hellenic | *tʰáwā | — |
Words derived from “theory”