turpentine

The story

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromτερεβινθίνη
2. Latin · derived fromterebinthina
3. Old French · derived fromterbentine
4. Middle English · derived fromterebentyne
5. English todayturpentine

From Middle English terebentyne, terbentyne, turbentine, from Old French terbentine, turbentine, Latin terebinthina, from Ancient Greek τερεβινθίνη (terebinthínē), the feminine form of τερεβινθινος (terebinthinos, “terebinthine”, adjective), from τερέβινθος (terébinthos, “terebinth tree”, noun). Related to terpene and terpin; etymologically equivalent to terebinth + -ine.

Words from the same roots