English
chimera
Chimera comes from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰey- ‘winter’.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*ǵʰey-‘winter’root as named · steps between not traced
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500chimere
- Englishearliest quotation 1382chimera
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*ǵʰey-‘winter’root as named · steps between not traced
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500chimere
- Englishearliest quotation 1382chimera
Earliest quotation: 1382, John Purvey, Bible: “...beestis clepid chymeres, that han a part of ech…”
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰey- ‘winter’
Today it means
noun Any fantastic creature combining parts from different animals.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰey- / chimera