Spanish words from Greek
11 Spanish words with Greek in their history, whether borrowed directly or passed on through other languages.
base
It is borrowed from Latin basis (“base, pedestal, foundation”), which is from Ancient Greek βάσις (básis, “step; that on which one stands, base”). The Greek word is a noun of βαίνω (baínō, “to walk…
bolsa
1. The word for the bag is inherited from Old Spanish bolsa, inherited from Late Latin bursa (“hide; leather bag, purse”). Corominas calls it semi-learned or a late arrival: as a fully popular word…
bonanza
It is probably inherited from Vulgar Latin *bonacia (“calm at sea”), an alteration of Latin malacia (“dead calm”) shared by several Romance languages. The change came from bonus (“good”), because…
cuerda
It is inherited from Latin chorda (“string of a musical instrument; rope, cord”), which is from Ancient Greek χορδή (khordḗ, “gut, tripe; string made of gut”). The word means “rope, cord” in all the…
esclavo
It is borrowed from Medieval Latin sclavus (“slave”), which is from Byzantine Greek σκλάβος (sklábos, “Slav; slave”). Corominas thinks the word reached Castilian indirectly, most likely through…
máquina
It is borrowed from Latin machina (“machine, contrivance; scaffolding; stratagem”), which is from Ancient Greek μαχανά (mākhanā́), the Doric form of Attic μηχανή (mēkhanḗ, “ingenious device…
metro
1. The word for the measure is borrowed from Latin metrum (“measure, especially of verse”), which is from Ancient Greek μέτρον (métron, “measure”). The DLE gives the Greek word as its source. As the…
plaza
It is inherited from Old Spanish plaça, inherited from Vulgar Latin *plattĕa (“broad street, square”), the popular form of Latin platea. The Latin word is from Ancient Greek πλατεῖα (plateîa, “broad…
práctica
It is inherited from Old Spanish pratica, borrowed from Late Latin practicē (“practical science”), which is from Ancient Greek πρακτική (praktikḗ), the feminine of πρακτικός (praktikós, “active…
tortuga
It is inherited from Old Spanish tartuga, probably from Late Latin tartarūchus (“a demon”) in the feminine form. The Late Latin word is from Ancient Greek ταρταροῦχος (tartaroûkhos, “dweller in…
tumba
It is borrowed from Late Latin tumba (“grave”), which is from Ancient Greek τύμβος (túmbos, “burial mound, grave”); Corominas records it first in Berceo. The Latin word is ecclesiastical, first…