hydrogen etymology

Etymology

The word "hydrogen" is derived from two Greek words:

  • hydro-: meaning "water"
  • -gen: meaning "generator"

Meaning

Hydrogen is a chemical element that forms the first element of the periodic table. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, flammable gas. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, comprising about 75% of its elemental mass.

Origin

The name "hydrogen" was first coined by the French chemist Antoine Lavoisier in 1783. Lavoisier discovered that hydrogen is a component of water and that it is a gas that is lighter than air. The name "hydrogen" reflects this discovery, as it means "water generator."

Hydrogen was first isolated as a pure element by the English chemist Henry Cavendish in 1766. Cavendish called the gas "inflammable air." However, it was Lavoisier's work that established the gas's composition and gave it its name.

hydrogen relate terms

  • hydric

    Etymology The word hydric is derived from the Greek word hydr meaning water Mea

  • hydrogen

    Etymology The word hydrogen is derived from two Greek words hydro meaning water

  • hydro

    Etymology The word hydro comes from the Ancient Greek word ὕδωρ hydrō meani

  • hydrocarbon

    Etymology The term hydrocarbon is derived from two Greek words hydro ὕδωρ

  • hydrogen

    Etymology The word hydrogen is derived from two Greek words hydro meaning water

  • carbon

    Etymology of Carbon Latin Carbo meaning coal charcoal Proto Indo European kwerp

  • carbohydrate

  • deuterium

    Etymology The term deuterium is derived from the Greek word deuteros meaning second

  • proton

    Etymology The word proton comes from the Greek word πρωτόν prōton meaning

  • Vaseline

    Etymology and Meaning The word Vaseline is a trademark for a brand of petroleum jelly

  • balloon

    Etymology The word balloon originates from the Italian word ballone which means lar