English
empyreuma
Empyreuma comes from Ancient Greek ἐμπύρευμα ‘a live coal covered with ashes’, and goes back to ἐμπῠρεύω ‘to set aglow, kindle’.
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEἐμπῠρεύω‘to set aglow, kindle’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEἐμπύρευμαempúreuma‘a live coal covered with ashes’
- Englishearliest quotation 1651empyreuma
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEἐμπῠρεύω‘to set aglow, kindle’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEἐμπύρευμαempúreuma‘a live coal covered with ashes’
- Englishearliest quotation 1651empyreuma
Earliest quotation: 1651, John French: “If the Liquor retain a certain Empyreuma, or smatch…”
Every English word from Ancient Greek ἐμπῠρεύω
Today it means
noun The particular smell and taste arising from products of decomposition of animal or vegetable substances when burnt in sealed containers.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Ancient Greek ἐμπῠρεύω / empyreuma