myEtymology.com: English etymology of bioluminescence

Etymology of the English word bioluminescence

the English word bioluminescence

derived from the English word luminescence

derived from the Latin word lumen (light, opening; light; lamp, torch)

derived from the Classical Latin word lux (clear; light, daylight, light of day)

derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *leuk- (bright, white light)

using the English prefix bio-

derived from the Late Greek word bios, βίος (life; life; the present state of existence; by implication, the means of livelihood)

derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *gʷei- (to live)

derived from the Greek word phantasma, φάντασμα ((properly concrete) a (mere) show ('phantasm'); spectre)

derived from the Greek word phantazein, φαντάζω (to make apparent; to appear (neuter participle as noun, a spectacle))

derived from the Greek word phantos

derived from the Late Greek word phainein, φαίνω (to display; to show)

derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *bha-

derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *bhā-

using the Greek suffix -scope

Word found in Modern English