English
acroterion
Acroterion comes from Ancient Greek ἀκρωτήριον ‘cape, headland, promontory’, from ἄκρος ‘at the edge’, and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ- ‘sharp’.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₂eḱ-‘sharp’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₂eḱrós‘sharp’reconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEἄκρος‘at the edge’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEἀκρωτήριονakrōtḗrion‘cape, headland, promontory’
- Englishearliest quotation 2009acroterion
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₂eḱ-‘sharp’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₂eḱrós‘sharp’reconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEἄκρος‘at the edge’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEἀκρωτήριονakrōtḗrion‘cape, headland, promontory’
- Englishearliest quotation 2009acroterion
Earliest quotation: 2009, Elisabetta Povoledo, Danish Museum Resists Return of Disputed Artifacts: “They include an acroterion, or pediment decoration, of a…”
Equivalent to acro- + -τήριον
The story
Latinized form of Ancient Greek ἀκρωτήριον (akrōtḗrion), from ἄκρος (ákros) + -τήριον (-tḗrion). Semi-Latinized form.
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ- ‘sharp’
hear, edge, egg, ear, acid, hammer, axe, oxide, acute, acne, acupuncture, paragon, acetate, acacia, hark, acumen, acme, acuity, acyl, rosacea, roselle, 71 more
through Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱrós ‘sharp’
eager, vinegar, mediocre, mediocrity, exacerbate, acerbic, acrid, exacerbation, acrimony, 12 more
Today it means
noun —
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ- / acroterion