English
eponychium
Eponychium comes from Ancient Greek ἐπί ‘on top of’, and goes back to Proto-Indo-European *h₁épi ‘on’.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₁épi‘on’reconstructed
- Proto-Hellenicc. 2200–1600 BCE*epíreconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEἐπίepí‘on top of’
- Englishearliest quotation 2008eponychium
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₁épi‘on’reconstructed
- Proto-Hellenicc. 2200–1600 BCE*epíreconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEἐπίepí‘on top of’
- Englishearliest quotation 2008eponychium
Earliest quotation: 2008, Peter M. Antevy, 103: Management of Finger Injuries: “The nail is replaced to provide a physiologic dressing…”
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *h₁ep- ‘to grab, snatch, get’
through Proto-Indo-European *h₁épi ‘on’
through Ancient Greek ἐπί ‘on top of’
Today it means
noun The thickened layer of skin adjoining fingernails and toenails, particularly at the base of the nail.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *h₁épi / eponychium