Etymology Map
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Wolfram

2 stages from German to English.

Today it means tungsten, or its ore

Where does the word "wolfram" come from? It comes from German Wolfram, adopted directly into English (1750s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
Wolfram
German · 1500s
"wolf's froth"
'wolf's froth', perhaps because the ore 'devoured' tin in smelting like a wolf
2
Stage 2 of 2
wolfram
English · 1750s
"tungsten ore"
tungsten's chemical symbol, W, comes from it
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Read the full story

Wolfram’s story begins in German: Wolfram meant “wolf's froth.” 'wolf's froth', perhaps because the ore 'devoured' tin in smelting like a wolf. It reached English by 1750s as wolfram. Tungsten's chemical symbol, W, comes from it. Today, wolfram means tungsten, or its ore.