Where does “alma mater” come from?

alma mater (Latin) comes from Latin māter, from Ancient Greek ἄρχω, from Proto-Indo-European h₂ergʰ- — to begin; to command, rule; to begin, rule,...

alma mater (Latin): mother goddess; Virgin Mary

Definitions

  1. mother goddess; Virgin Mary

Ancestry of “alma mater”, step by step

alma mater traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Latin māter

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinmātermother female parent
2Ancient GreekἄρχωTo begin; To lead, rule, govern, command; To be...
3Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂ergʰ-to begin; to command, rule; to begin, rule,...

via Latin alma

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinalmainflection of almus: ## feminine...

Words derived from “alma mater”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂ergʰ- →Every word from Ancient Greek ἄρχω →Every word from Latin māter →