diaphragm

Where does the word "diaphragm" come from? It comes from Greek diaphragma, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Diaphragm’s story begins in Greek: diaphragma meant “a partition, a dividing wall.” Literally a partition wall, from dia (across) and phragma (a fence). It reached English by 1400s as diaphragm. Settled as the medical word for the muscle separating chest from abdomen. Today, diaphragm means the muscle beneath the lungs that controls breathing.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient diaphragma "a partition, a dividing wall", literally a partition wall, from dia (across) and phragma (a fence).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s diaphragm "the muscle separating the chest from the abdomen", settled as the medical word for the muscle separating chest from abdomen.