Where does “time bomb” come from?
time bomb (English) comes from English Time, from Middle English tyme, from Old French thym, from Latin thymum, from Ancient Greek θύμον, from Ancient Greek θύω, from Proto-Indo-European dʰewh₂- — smoke; mist, haze.
time bomb (English): A bomb that has a mechanism such that detonation can be preset to a particular time
Definitions
- A bomb that has a mechanism such that detonation can be preset to a particular time
Ancestry of “time bomb”, step by step
time bomb traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English Time
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Time | The inevitable progression into the future with the passing of present and past events |
| 2 | Middle English | tyme | thyme; time; A specific duration or period of... |
| 3 | Old French | thym | — |
| 4 | Latin | thymum | thyme; accusative singular of thymus |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | θύμον | thyme |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | θύω | I offer in sacrifice, slay, burn, immolate; I... |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰewh₂- | smoke; mist, haze |
via English bomb
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | bomb | An explosive device used or intended as a weapon;... |
| 2 | French | bombé | rounded, convex; past participle of bomber |
| 3 | Italian | bomba | bomb |
| 4 | Italian | bombo | bumblebee; buzzing |
| 5 | Latin | bombus | A buzz or humming sound |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | βόμβος | any deep, hollow sound, humming, buzzing,... |