Where does “ideal” come from?

ideal (German) comes from Late Latin idealis, from Latin idea, from Ancient Greek ἰδέα, from Ancient Greek εἴδω, from Proto-Indo-European weyd- — to see.

ideal (German): ideal optimal, perfect

Definitions

  1. ideal optimal, perfect

Ancestry of “ideal”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Late Latinidealisexisting in idea
2Latinideaidea; prototype
3Ancient Greekἰδέαform, shape; look, appearance, semblance; type,...
4Ancient Greekεἴδωto see; I see
5Proto-Indo-Europeanweyd-to see
Every word from Proto-Indo-European weyd- →Every word from Ancient Greek εἴδω →Every word from Ancient Greek ἰδέα →