English
labellum
Labellum comes from Latin labellum ‘small lip’, and goes back to Proto-Indo-European *leb- ‘to hang down’.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*leb-‘to hang down’reconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CElabrum‘lip’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CElabellum‘small lip’diminutive of labrum
- Englishtodaysame form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*leb-‘to hang down’reconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CElabrum‘lip’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CElabellum‘small lip’diminutive of labrum
- Englishtodaysame form
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *leb- ‘to hang down’
la, lip, lap, limp, limbo, lobe, labia, lave, 14 more
through Latin labrum ‘lip’
Today it means
noun The lower central petal of a flower (especially an orchid), usually developed to be showy and attract pollinators.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *leb- / labellum