ectomorph etymology

Etymology

The word "ectomorph" is derived from the Greek words "ekto-" (meaning "outside" or "on the exterior") and "-morph" (meaning "form" or "shape").

Meaning

An ectomorph is a person with a naturally lean and thin body type. Ectomorphs typically have long, slender limbs, narrow shoulders, and a flat chest. They have difficulty gaining weight and building muscle, even with regular exercise and a high-calorie diet.

Origin

The term "ectomorph" was first used in the early 1900s by psychiatrist William Sheldon in his theory of somatotypes. Sheldon classified individuals into three main body types: ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph.

Ectomorphs were described as having a "fragile, linear" body type with narrow bones, long limbs, and little muscle or fat. Sheldon believed that ectomorphs had a temperament that was introverted, intellectual, and prone to anxiety.

Over time, the term "ectomorph" has come to be used more broadly to refer to people with a naturally lean and thin body type, regardless of their temperament.

ectomorph relate terms

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