liver etymology

Etymology

  • Middle English: lyver
  • Old English: lifer
  • Proto-Germanic: libara
  • Proto-Indo-European: *leybʰ- ("smooth, shiny")

Meaning

The liver is a large, vital organ that performs a variety of functions for the body, including:

  • Filtering blood
  • Producing bile
  • Storing glucose
  • Detoxifying harmful substances

Origin

The etymology of "liver" is most likely related to the Proto-Indo-European root *leybʰ-, which means "smooth, shiny." This may refer to the smooth, slick surface of the liver.

Another possible origin is from the Old Norse word lifur, which means "life." This may refer to the liver's vital role in the body.

The liver is one of the most ancient organs, with evidence of it found in fossils dating back over 500 million years. It has been an important organ for food and medicine throughout human history.

liver relate terms

  • lily livered

    Etymology Lilylivered is a compound word derived from Lily A flower known for its

  • lily

    Etymology Old High German lilia Latin lilium Greek leírion Meaning Flowe

  • liver

    Etymology Middle English lyver Old English lifer Proto Germanic libara Proto Indo Eur

  • live

    Etymology The word live has its origins in the Middle English word liven which is de

  • living

    Etymology Living is derived from the Old English word lifian which means to live

  • lobe

    Etymology The word lobe comes from the Middle English word lobbe which is derived fr

  • bile

    Etymology The word bile comes from the Old English gealla which itself derives from

  • gizzard

    Etymology The word gizzard is derived from the Old French word gisier which means t

  • gall

    Etymology The word gall has multiple etymologies depending on its specific meaning and

  • pulmonary

    Etymology The word pulmonary is derived from the Latin word pulmo which means lung

  • habitant

    Etymology Habit noun is derived from the Latin word habitus meaning outward appearan

  • individual

    Etymology from Latin individuum an individual thing or being from in not

  • mortal

    Etymology Latin mortalis meaning subject to death Proto Indo European mrtós mea