Where does “bactērium” come from?

bactērium (New Latin) comes from Ancient Greek βακτήριον, from Ancient Greek βακτηρία, from Proto-Indo-European baḱ- — club, pointed stick, peg; pointed stick, peg.

Ancestry of “bactērium”, step by step

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	Ancient Greek	βακτήριον	Synonym of βακτηρία
2	Ancient Greek	βακτηρία	rod, staff, cane; baton
3	Proto-Indo-European	baḱ-	club, pointed stick, peg; pointed stick, peg

Words derived from “bactērium”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European baḱ- →Every word from Ancient Greek βακτηρία →Every word from Ancient Greek βακτήριον →