physics

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*bʰuH-“to appear, become, rise up”
2. Ancient Greek · derived fromφύω“produce; bear; grow”
3. Ancient Greek · derived fromφύσις“origin; nature, property”
4. Ancient Greek · derived fromφυσική
5. Latin · derived fromphysica“study of nature”
6. Old French · derived fromfisike“natural science, art of healing”
7. Middle English · derived fromphisik
8. English todayphysics

1580s; from physic (see also -ics), from Middle English phisik, from Old French fisike (“natural science, art of healing”), from Latin physica (“study of nature”), from Ancient Greek φυσική (phusikḗ), feminine singular of φυσικός (phusikós, “natural; physical”), from Ancient Greek φύσις (phúsis, “origin; nature, property”), from Ancient Greek φύω (phúō, “produce; bear; grow”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- (“to appear, become, rise up”).

Words from the same roots