hydrogen

Where does the word "hydrogen" come from? It comes from Greek hydor, passing through French before entering English (1790s).

Hydrogen’s story begins in Greek: hydor meant “water.” Water, combined with genes (forming) since the gas forms water when burned. By 1780s, the word had taken hold in French as hydrogene. Coined by chemist Antoine Lavoisier for the newly identified element. It reached English by 1790s as hydrogen. Settled as the English name for the element. Today, hydrogen means the lightest chemical element, a colorless flammable gas.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient hydor "water", water, combined with genes (forming) since the gas forms water when burned.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1780s hydrogene "the water-forming element", coined by chemist Antoine Lavoisier for the newly identified element.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1790s hydrogen "the lightest chemical element", settled as the English name for the element.