Where does “transpiration” come from?
Transpiration comes from Middle French transpiration, from Medieval Latin transpiratio, from Latin transpiro, combining trans- (across) and spirare (to breathe), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning to breathe and to cross.
transpiration (English): The loss of water by evaporation in terrestrial...
Definitions
- The loss of water by evaporation in terrestrial...
Ancestry of “transpiration”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle French | transpiration | — |
| 2 | Medieval Latin | transpiratio | — |
| 3 | Latin | transpiro | to transpire |
| 4 | Latin | trāns | across, beyond |
| 5 | Latin | Padus | the River Po |
| 6 | Lepontic | Bodincus | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰudʰmḗn | bottom |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰewbʰ- | deep |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰewh₂- | smoke; mist, haze |