synthesis

Where does the word "synthesis" come from? It comes from Greek synthesis, and was adopted directly into English (1610s).

Synthesis’s story begins in Greek: synthesis meant “a putting together.” A putting together, from syn- (together) and tithenai (to place). It reached English by 1610s as synthesis. Settled as the English word for combining separate elements into a whole. Today, synthesis means the combination of separate ideas, elements, or substances into a coherent whole.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient synthesis "a putting together", a putting together, from syn- (together) and tithenai (to place).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1610s synthesis "the combination of separate elements into a whole", settled as the English word for combining separate elements into a whole.