Where does “sternocleidomastoides” come from?

sternocleidomastoides (Latin) comes from Ancient Greek κλείς, from Proto-Hellenic klāwī́ds, from Proto-Indo-European kleh₂u- — nail, pin, hook - instruments, of old use for...

sternocleidomastoides (Latin): Of or pertaining to the breastbone, collarbone and the mastoid process of the temporal bone; sternocleidomastoid

Definitions

  1. Of or pertaining to the breastbone, collarbone and the mastoid process of the temporal bone; sternocleidomastoid

Ancestry of “sternocleidomastoides”, step by step

sternocleidomastoides traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.

via Ancient Greek κλείς

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient GreekκλείςSomething used to lock/unlock: key, bolt, bar; A...
2Proto-Hellenicklāwī́ds
3Proto-Indo-Europeankleh₂u-nail, pin, hook - instruments, of old use for...

via Latin sternum

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1LatinsternumThe breastbone
2Ancient Greekστέρνονbreast, chest; seat of the affections, heart;...
3Proto-Indo-Europeanstern-forehead, chest, side

via Latin mastoīdēs

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1LatinmastoīdēsShaped like a breast
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kleh₂u-Every word from Proto-Hellenic klāwī́dsEvery word from Ancient Greek κλείς