lethal etymology

Etymology

The word "lethal" is derived from the Ancient Greek word "lēthos," meaning "forgetfulness," "death," or "ruin."

Meaning

• Causing or capable of causing death.
• Extremely harmful or damaging.

Origin

The Greek word "lēthos" is related to the Sanskrit word "lī," meaning "to dissolve" or "to destroy."

History of Use

The word "lethal" has been used in English since the 14th century, initially in a metaphorical sense to refer to something that was extremely harmful or destructive. In the 16th century, it began to be used more specifically to refer to something that could cause death. Today, the word is commonly used in both senses.

Examples

• The gunshot wound was lethal.
• The toxic chemical exposure was lethal to the animals.
• The criticism was so lethal that it destroyed the politician's career.

lethal relate terms

• Lethe

  Etymology Greek Λήθη Lēthē meaning forgetfulness oblivion Meaning Leth

• latent

  Etymology The word latent comes from the Latin verb latere meaning to lie hidden

• lethality

  Etymology The word lethality comes from the Latin word lethalis which means deadly

• lethal

  Etymology The word lethal is derived from the Ancient Greek word lēthos meaning fo

• deadly

  Etymology The word deadly derives from the Old English word deadlic which in turn c

• contempt

  Etymology and Origin Latin contemptus a feeling of disrespect or scorn From the ve

• bachelor

  Etymology The word bachelor comes from the Old French word bacheler which in turn c

• cotton

  Etymology The word cotton originates from the Old French word coton which is ultima

• father

  Etymology The word father comes from the Proto Indo European root ph₂tḗr which a

• atone

  Etymology Old English atōnian atone reconcile from Proto Germanic atōnōjan sour

• resilience

  Etymology Latin resilient springing back French résilient elastic springy

• collateral

  Etymology The word collateral is derived from the Latin word collateralis which mean

• addict

  Etymology The word addict is derived from the Latin word addicere which means to a

• coincidence

  Etymology Middle English coincidentia from Latin coincidere meaning to come togethe