Etymology Explorer › Latin

Where does “Ophiūchus” come from?

Ophiūchus (Latin) comes from Ancient Greek ὀφιοῦχος, from Ancient Greek ἔχω, from Proto-Hellenic hékʰō, from Proto-Indo-European seǵʰ- — to hold; to overpower.

Ancestry of “Ophiūchus”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekὀφιοῦχοςserpent handler; Ophiuchus, the constellation
2Ancient GreekἔχωI have, possess, contain, own; I hold; I have...
3Proto-Hellenichékʰō—
4Proto-Indo-Europeanseǵʰ-to hold; to overpower
Every word from Proto-Indo-European seǵʰ- →