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Where does the word "myopia" come from? It comes from Greek myōpia, passing through Modern Latin before entering English (1690s).
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Where does the word "myopia" come from? It comes from Greek myōpia, passing through Modern Latin before entering English (1690s).
Myopia’s story begins in Greek: myōpia meant “squinting.” From 'myein', to shut, and 'ōps', eye: people who squint to see. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Modern Latin as myopia. A medical term. It reached English by 1690s as myopia. Used figuratively for lack of foresight from the 1800s. Today, myopia means short-sightedness.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient myōpia "squinting", from 'myein', to shut, and 'ōps', eye: people who squint to see.
- Stage 2 · Modern Latin · 1600s myopia "short-sightedness", a medical term.
- Stage 3 · English · 1690s myopia "short-sightedness", used figuratively for lack of foresight from the 1800s.