grain etymology

Etymology:

The word "grain" ultimately derives from the Proto-Indo-European root *gʰer-, meaning "to rub, grind."

Meaning:

A grain is a small, hard, usually edible seed of a cereal plant, such as wheat, rice, or corn. It can also refer to the plant itself or to a similar small, hard particle, such as sand or salt.

Origin:

Through various linguistic evolutions, the Proto-Indo-European root *gʰer- gave rise to:

  • Latin: grānum ("grain")
  • Ancient Greek: γράνομαι (gránomai, "to grind")
  • Proto-Germanic: kaurna ("grain")
  • Old English: corn ("grain, cereal")

The word "grain" entered the English language from Old English around the 12th century. It originally referred to a single seed, but by the 14th century, it had come to refer to a collective mass of seeds.

grain relate terms

  • engrain

    Etymology French engrain Middle French en grain Latin in granum meaning in the gra

  • grain

    Etymology The word grain ultimately derives from the Proto Indo European root gʰer

  • kermes

    Etymology The word kermes originates from the following sources Arabic qirmiz me

  • kermes

    Etymology The word kermes originates from the following sources Arabic qirmiz me

  • cocco

    Etymology The word cocco originates from the following sources Latin coccus mea

  • crimson

    Etymology The word crimson comes from the Old French word cremesin which is derived

  • cochineal

    Etymology and Meaning Cochineal pronounced ˈkoʊ tʃiː niːl is a scarlet dye prod

  • cereal

    Etymology The word cereal is derived from the Latin word Ceres the Roman goddess of

  • granite

    Etymology The word granite is derived from the Latin word granum meaning grain T

  • spigot

    Etymology The word spigot has its origins in two possible sources Old French espi

  • grange

    Etymology The word grange is derived from the Old English word grang which itself c

  • corn

    Etymology of Corn The word corn has a complex etymology that has evolved over time

  • farina

    Etymology The word farina originates from the Latin word farina which means flour

  • buckwheat

    Etymology The word buckwheat is derived from the German word Buchweizen which litera

  • speck

    Etymology Old English specca piece of fat lard bacon Proto Germanic spekkaz Proto

  • grits

    Etymology The word grits originates from the Old English grytt meaning coarsely gr