phosphorus

Where does the word "phosphorus" come from? It comes from Greek phosphoros, passing through Latin before entering English (1680).

Phosphorus’s story begins in Greek: phosphoros meant “light-bearer.” Literally light-bearer, from phos (light) and pherein (to carry). By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as phosphorus. The Latin form of the Greek word, also used for the morning star. It reached English by 1680 as phosphorus. Coined for the element after its discoverer noticed it glowed in the dark. Today, phosphorus means a highly reactive chemical element essential to living cells, once noted for glowing faintly.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient phosphoros "light-bearer", literally light-bearer, from phos (light) and pherein (to carry).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient phosphorus "light-bringing; the morning star", the Latin form of the Greek word, also used for the morning star.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1680 phosphorus "a reactive, glow-producing element", coined for the element after its discoverer noticed it glowed in the dark.