Where does “cathedral” come from?
cathedral (Old French) comes from Latin cathedrālis, from Latin cathēdra, from Ancient Greek καθέδρα, from Ancient Greek κατά, from Ancient Greek καταστερίζω, from Ancient Greek ἀστήρ, from Proto-Hellenic astḗr, from Proto-Indo-European h₂stḗr — to be/become dry; to burn, to glow; hearth.
Ancestry of “cathedral”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | cathedrālis | cathedral relating to a bishop's see |
| 2 | Latin | cathēdra | armchair (having cushions and supports) |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | καθέδρα | seat; sitting posture; teacher's chair,... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | κατά | |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | καταστερίζω | to place among the stars; I put among the stars |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | ἀστήρ | a celestial body; illustrious person; starfish |
| 7 | Proto-Hellenic | astḗr | star |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂stḗr | star |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eHs- | to be/become dry; to burn, to glow; hearth |