Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “vermiculite” come from?

Vermiculite derives from Latin vermiculus, diminutive of vermis meaning worm, from Proto-Indo-European wr̥mis, itself from the root wer-.

vermiculite (English): A hydrated silicate mineral which expands on...

Definitions

  1. A hydrated silicate mineral which expands on...

Ancestry of “vermiculite”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1LatinvermiculusA little worm or grub in decaying things
2Latinvermisa worm
3Latinfugāre—
4Latinfugerethird-person plural perfect active indicative of...
5Proto-Italicfugiōto flee
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰewg-to flee; to enjoy, benefit
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰewg- →