Where does “toluenesulfonyl” come from?

toluenesulfonyl (English) comes from English sulfonyl, from English -yl, from French méthylène, from Ancient Greek μέθυ, from Proto-Hellenic métʰu, from Proto-Indo-European médʰu — honey; honey wine, mead.

toluenesulfonyl (English): phenylmethylsulfonyl; tosyl

Definitions

  1. phenylmethylsulfonyl; tosyl

Ancestry of “toluenesulfonyl”, step by step

toluenesulfonyl traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English sulfonyl

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsulfonylThe bivalent radical or functional group -SO-;...
2English-ylA univalent radical or functional group formed...
3Frenchméthylènemethylene
4Ancient Greekμέθυwine
5Proto-Hellenicmétʰuintoxicating drink; mead
6Proto-Indo-Europeanmédʰuhoney; honey wine, mead

via English toluene

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishtolueneA colourless, inflammable liquid hydrocarbon,...
2GermanToluin
3GermanTolu
Every word from Proto-Indo-European médʰuEvery word from English -ylEvery word from Proto-Hellenic métʰu