English
Petra
Petra may come from Ancient Greek πέτρα ‘rock formation: cliff, ledge, cave, ridge’.
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEπέτρα‘rock formation: cliff, ledge, cave, ridge’uncertain
- EnglishtodayPetra
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEπέτρα‘rock formation: cliff, ledge, cave, ridge’uncertain
- EnglishtodayPetra
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *per- ‘to go through, fare’
first, before, support, far, report, further, price, private, press, per, fear, opportunity, pre, primary, prior, practice, prime, appreciate, port, prize, afford, pregnant, ford, forth, precious, practical, privilege, par, interpretation, praise, ferry, fare, parade, porch, pardon, primitive, prix, pirate, privy, prism, 159 more
Another origin of Petra
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*per-‘to go through, fare’uncertain
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEπέτρα‘rock’
- Late Latinc. 200–600 CEpetra‘stone, rock’uncertain
- EnglishtodayPetra
The name came into regular use in the 19th century.
Today it means
name An ancient city and archaeological site in Jordan.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Ancient Greek πέτρα / Petra