Τετάρτη 25 Μαΐου 2011

Etymology of albatross

Origin of the word albatross.
The word albatross comes from the Portuguese alcatraz (pelican) from the Arabic al-câdous or al-ġaţţās (a pelican; lit. the diver), from the Greek word kados [jar; Gr: κάδος ] in reference to the pelican's pouch. The spelling was influenced by the Latin albus (white).


In modern Greek:
a) kados: jar [Gr: κάδος]
b) albatros: albatross [Gr: άλμπατρος; loanword]

OED


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Κυριακή 22 Μαΐου 2011

Etymology of anchovy

Origin of the word anchovy.
The word anchovy comes from the Genoese anchova, most probably from the Latin apua (small fish) from the Greek aphye [small fry; Gr.: αφύη].






In modern Greek:
a) anchuyia: anchovy [Gr.: αντσούγια; loanword]

OED
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Παρασκευή 13 Μαΐου 2011

Etymology of ampoule (ampul, ampulla)

Word origin of ampoule (ampul, ampulla)
The word ampoule (small bottle or flask) comes from the Latin ampulla, a contracted form of amphora, which is a transliteration of the Greek amphorefs/amphora (vessel, flask, bottle; Gr: αμφορεύς)




In modern Greek:

a) ampula: ampoule [Gr: αμπούλα; loanword]

b) amphoreas: amphora [Gr: αμφορέας]

OED

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Πέμπτη 5 Μαΐου 2011

Etymology of box

Origin of the word box

The word box (wooden container) comes from the Latin buxis/buxus, which is a transliteration of the Greek pyxis/pyxos [box (the tree); Gr.: πύξος].



In modern Greek:

a) pyxida: compass [Gr: πυξίδα]

OED


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Κυριακή 1 Μαΐου 2011

Etymology of columbarium, Columbus

Origin of the word columbarium, Columbus
A columbarium is a place for the respectful and usually public storage of cinerary urns, a vault with niches for urns containing the ashes of cremated bodies. The term comes from the Latin columba (dove, dovecote) and originally referred to compartmentalized housing for doves and pigeons. The word columba most probably is related to the Greek word colymbis [wild ducks or wild birds that use to dive into the see water; Gr.: κολυμβίς] from the verb colymbo (to dive, duck; Gr.: κολυμπώ).

From the same root:
Columbus [From the Greek Colymbos (diver), Gr.: κόλυμβος], Columbia, Colombia etc.





In modern Greek:

a) colymbo: swim, bath [Gr.: κολυμπώ ]

b) colymbi (or colymbisi): swimming [Gr.: κολύμπι or κολύμβηση]

c) colymbitirio: swimming-pool, lido [Gr.: κολυμβυτήριο]

d) colymbitis: swimmer [Gr.: κολυμβητής]

e) colymbithra: font [Gr.: κολυμβήθρα]



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Saint Columba

Saint Columba was a sixth-century Orthodox Irish saint, who founded an important monastery on the Scottish island of Iona.





In the early centuries of Christianity the name Columba was popular, because the "dove" is a Cristian symbol for the Holy Spirit and peace.

See more at: http://stcolumbamonastery.org/about/our-patron/
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