Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “tricyclic” come from?

Tricyclic combines English three with Ancient Greek κύκλος (kýklos, circle), ultimately deriving from Proto-Indo-European kʷel- (to turn) and tréyes (three).

tricyclic (English): Having three rings of atoms in the molecule; Any...

Definitions

  1. Having three rings of atoms in the molecule; Any...

Ancestry of “tricyclic”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcyclicCharacterized by, or moving in cycles, or...
2Frenchcycliquecyclic, cyclical
3Latincyclicus—
4Ancient Greekκύκλοςcircle, ring; Any circular object, such as a...
5Proto-Indo-Europeankʷékʷloswheel; circle
6Proto-Indo-Europeankʷel-to turn

Words derived from “tricyclic”

  • nontricyclic
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kʷel- →