abiotic

The story

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromβιωτικός“of life”
2. Ancient Greek · borrowed fromἀ-
3. English todayabiotic

First attested in 1874. From a- + biotic, the first element from Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-) and the second from Ancient Greek βιωτικός (biōtikós, “of life”), from βίος (bíos, “life”) + -ῐκός (-ĭkós).

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• mid-20th c. Nonliving, inanimate, characterised by the absence of life; of inorganic matter.
• mid-20th c. Tending to inhibit or destroy life; antibiotic; incompatible with life.