Etymology of the English word animalcule
the English word
animalculederived from the New Latin word
animalculum (lowly animal)
derived from the Latin word
animal (animal, living thing, offspring)
derived from the Latin word
anima (soul, spirit, vital principle)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*anə-Date
The earliest known usage of animalcule in English dates from the 16th century.
Usage
Word found in Modern English
