Where does “catafalicum” come from?

catafalicum (Latin) comes from Ancient Greek κατά, from Ancient Greek καταστερίζω, from Ancient Greek ἀστήρ, from Proto-Hellenic astḗr, from Proto-Indo-European h₂stḗr, from Proto-Indo-European h₂eHs- — to be/become dry; to burn, to glow; hearth.

Ancestry of “catafalicum”, step by step

catafalicum traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Ancient Greek κατά

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekκατά
2Ancient Greekκαταστερίζωto place among the stars; I put among the stars
3Ancient Greekἀστήρa celestial body; illustrious person; starfish
4Proto-Hellenicastḗrstar
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂stḗrstar
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eHs-to be/become dry; to burn, to glow; hearth

via Latin fala

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinfalaa siege tower
2Etruscan𐌚𐌀𐌋𐌀column, pillar
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eHs-Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂stḗrEvery word from Proto-Hellenic astḗr
catafalicum — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer