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My goal is pretty much simple nonetheless challenging; I'm going to try and find as many English words as possible that are Greek. Challenge accepted. And trust me, there's a lot of them.


Saturday, September 29, 2012

A - Asphyxia, Atmosphere, Astronomy, Air, Airplane, Aerial, Aerodynamic, Airbase.


Asphyxia. From Ancient Greek ἀσφυξία, stopping of the pulse: ἀ-, not and σφύξις, sphexes, heartbeat. From σφύζω, I throb.

Derived or related words: asphyxiate, asphyxiation, asphyxiating, asphyxiated.




Atmosphere. From Ancient Greek ἀτμός, atmós, steam and σφαῖρα, sphaĩra, sphere. The gases surrounding the Earth or any astronomical body.

Derived or related words: atmospheric, atmospherically.




Astronomy. From Ancient Greek ἀστρονομία, astronomia, from ἄστρον, astron, star and νόμος, nomos, arranging, regulating, related to νέμω, nemō, I deal out

Derived or related words: astronomic, astronomical, astronomically, astronomer.




Air. From Ancient Greek ἀήρ, aér, wind, atmosphere. Now you can imagine that most of the words coming from "air", are also Greek. 

Derived or related words: airplane, aerial, aerodynamic, airbase.
 



Airplane (alteration of aeroplane). From Ancient Greek ἀερόπλανος, wandering in air, from ἀήρ, aēr, air and πλάνος, planos, wandering.





Aerial. From Ancient Greek ἀέριος, aerios. Of, in or from the air. Atmospheric.



Aerodynamic. From Ancient Greek ἀέριος, aero and dynamic, δυναμικός, powerful. From δύναμις, power, from δύναμαι, I am able. Having a shape that reduces drag when moving through the air.





Airbase. From Ancient Greek ἀήρ, aér and βάσις, base. A military airport, providing housing and support for aircraft and personnel.

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