ichor

The story

1. Medieval Latin · derived fromichor
2. Middle English · inherited fromicor
3. Pre-Greek · derived from
4. Ancient Greek · derived fromῑ̓χώρ“fluid running through the veins of gods, ichor; watery part of blood, lymph, serum; watery part of milk, whey; gravy; pus; naphtha”
5. Medieval Latin · borrowed fromichor
6. English todayichor

Sense 1 (“liquid said to flow in place of blood in the veins of the gods”) is borrowed from Medieval Latin ichor, from Ancient Greek ῑ̓χώρ (īkhṓr, “fluid running through the veins of gods, ichor; watery part of blood, lymph, serum; watery part of milk, whey; gravy; pus; naphtha”); further etymology unknown, probably from Pre-Greek. Sense 2.4 (“fetid, watery discharge from a sore”) is from Middle English icor, icore [and other forms], from Medieval Latin ichor; see further above.

First known use, by meaning

• from late 17th c. The liquid said to flow in place of blood in the veins of the gods.