English
ecotone
Ecotone comes from Ancient Greek τόνος ‘tension’, and goes back to Proto-Indo-European *ten- ‘stretch’.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*ten-‘stretch’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*tón-osreconstructed
- Proto-Hellenicc. 2200–1600 BCE*tónos‘tension’reconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEτόνοςtónos‘tension’
- Englishtodayecotone
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*ten-‘stretch’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*tón-osreconstructed
- Proto-Hellenicc. 2200–1600 BCE*tónos‘tension’reconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEτόνοςtónos‘tension’
- Englishtodayecotone
Formed from eco ‘ecology’
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *ten- ‘stretch’
continue, entertainment, tight, content, maintenance, obtain, tennis, retain, contain, tender, sustain, continuous, detention, tenant, retention, continent, tenor, rein, detain, pertinent, pristine, tenacity, tendon, continuum, abstain, tenacious, abstinence, sustenance, pertain, tetanus, countenance, tenet, tenement, retinue, tantra, incontinence, tenable, tendinitis, abstention, retentive, 68 more
through Ancient Greek τόνος ‘tension’
tune, ton, tonic, peritoneum, 12 more
Today it means
noun A transition area between two adjacent ecological communities (ecosystems).
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *ten- / ecotone