pharynx

Where does the word "pharynx" come from? It comes from Greek pharynx, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Pharynx’s story begins in Greek: pharynx meant “the throat.” The throat, the passage connecting mouth and nose to the esophagus. It reached English by 1600s as pharynx. Greek 'throat'. Today, pharynx means the cavity behind the nose and mouth, connecting to the esophagus.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient pharynx "the throat", the throat, the passage connecting mouth and nose to the esophagus.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s pharynx "the cavity behind the mouth and nose", Greek 'throat'.