Where does “sphincter” come from?

sphincter (Middle French) comes from Late Latin sphincter, from Ancient Greek σφῐγκτήρ — That which binds tight; a lace, band.

Ancestry of “sphincter”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Late Latinsphincter
2Ancient GreekσφῐγκτήρThat which binds tight; a lace, band
Every word from Ancient Greek σφῐγκτήρEvery word from Late Latin sphincter
sphincter — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer