blue etymology

Etymology

The word "blue" originates from the Middle English "blewe," which in turn is derived from the Old English "blæw," meaning "darkened" or "swollen."

Meaning

Blue is a primary color, lying between green and indigo in the visible spectrum. It is often associated with the sky, the sea, and tranquility.

Origin

In nature, blue pigments are relatively rare. However, ancient civilizations used various natural sources to create blue dyes and pigments:

  • Ancient Egypt: Egyptians used lapis lazuli, a semi-precious stone, to create a vibrant blue pigment called "Egyptian blue."
  • Ancient Greece: Greeks used indigo, a plant dye extracted from the woad plant, for clothing and pottery.
  • Ancient China: Chinese artisans developed a blue pigment called "Han blue" from a copper mineral called azurite.

In the 18th century, the first synthetic blue pigment, "Prussian blue," was discovered. This pigment revolutionized the production of blue fabrics and paints.

blue relate terms

  • blue

    Etymology The word blue originates from the Middle English blewe which in turn is de

  • bluestocking

    Etymology The term bluestocking originates from the 18th century when a group of intel

  • bluestocking

    Etymology The term bluestocking originates from the 18th century when a group of intel

  • blue

    Etymology The word blue originates from the Middle English blewe which in turn is de

  • stocking

    Etymology The word stocking originates from the Old English word stocc or stoc pl

  • cordon

    Etymology Old French cordon cordun Late Latin cordo From Vulgar Latin chorda from Gre

  • hoar

    Etymology Old English hār hoary gray white Proto Germanic hairaz gray whit

  • blue blood

    Etymology Blue blood is a phrase that originated in the Middle Ages in Spain to describ

  • indigo

    Etymology The word indigo originates from the Latin word indicum which in turn deriv

  • Stafford

    Etymology and Meaning of Stafford Stafford is a surname and place name with multiple poss

  • Prussian

    Etymology Prussian is derived from the Old Prussian word Prūsas which referred to

  • glass

    Etymology of Glass The word glass traces its roots back to several ancient languages

  • sorry

    Etymology From Middle English sori from Old English sārig meaning sorrowful sa

  • Laurence

    Etymology Old French Lorens Latin Laurentius Meaning From Laurentum Meaning and