English
sphragide
Sphragide comes from Latin sphragis ‘a kind of stone used for seals’, and goes back to Ancient Greek σφραγίς ‘a seal’.
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEσφραγίςsphragís‘a seal’
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEsphragis‘a kind of stone used for seals’
- Englishearliest quotation 1860sphragide
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEσφραγίςsphragís‘a seal’
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEsphragis‘a kind of stone used for seals’
- Englishearliest quotation 1860sphragide
Earliest quotation: 1860, Archaeologia Americana:: “Dr. Hawks says it is found in Lemnos, sometimes…”
The story
From Latin sphragis, sphragidis (‘Lemnian earth’), from Ancient Greek σφραγίς (sphragís, “a seal”), so called because sold in sealed packets.
Every English word from Ancient Greek σφραγίς
Today it means
noun An aluminous earth of a grayish yellow color; a medicinal clay.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Ancient Greek σφραγίς / sphragide