English
simulacrum
Simulacrum comes from Latin simulācrum ‘image, likeness’, from similis ‘similar (to)’, and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *sem- ‘one’.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*sem-‘one’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*sem-h₂-lo-reconstructed
- Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*semalisreconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEsimilis‘similar (to)’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEsimulācrum‘image, likeness’
- Englishearliest quotation 1833simulacrum
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*sem-‘one’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*sem-h₂-lo-reconstructed
- Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*semalisreconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEsimilis‘similar (to)’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEsimulācrum‘image, likeness’
- Englishearliest quotation 1833simulacrum
Earliest quotation: 1833, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, London: Richard Bentley: “[H]e crossed the haunted Almo, renowned of yore for…”
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *sem- ‘one’
some, same, single, seem, simple, simply, soft, sam, sincerely, resemble, anomaly, resemblance, singular, sincerity, similarity, simultaneous, anomalous, homeopathic, synapse, homology, assimilate, hyphen, insincere, sempre, synchronise, homolog, 46 more
through Latin similis ‘similar (to)’
similar, assemble, simulation, semblance, assemblage, simile, 21 more
Today it means
noun A physical image or representation of a deity, person, or thing.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *sem- / simulacrum