English
semiotic
Semiotic comes from Ancient Greek σημειωτικός ‘observant of signs’, from σῆμα ‘mark, sign’, and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dʰyéh₂mn̥.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*dʰyéh₂mn̥reconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEσῆμαsêma‘mark, sign’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEσημειωτικόςsēmeiōtikós‘observant of signs’
- Englishearliest quotation 2012semiotic
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*dʰyéh₂mn̥reconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEσῆμαsêma‘mark, sign’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEσημειωτικόςsēmeiōtikós‘observant of signs’
- Englishearliest quotation 2012semiotic
Earliest quotation: 2012, Michele Zappavigna: “Applying a meme beyond its semiotic used-by date is…”
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *dʰyéh₂mn̥
through Ancient Greek σῆμα ‘mark, sign’
Today it means
adj Of or relating to semiotics or to semantics.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *dʰyéh₂mn̥ / semiotic