Tag: Greek roots

Derived from the Greek word 'makros' meaning 'long' or 'large,' the prefix for macro is 'macro-,' or sometimes shortened to 'macr-' before a vowel. This powerful prefix indicates something is on a large scale, contrasting directly with its counterpart 'micro-'. Its use spans diverse fields, including medicine, economics, and computing, to describe things that are either large in size or broad in scope.

The term *anorexia nervosa* is derived from a blend of ancient Greek and Latin, and its literal translation is “nervous absence of appetite”. This translation is notably misleading, as most individuals with the eating disorder do not truly lose their appetite but actively suppress it. The etymology provides a window into a past misunderstanding of the condition's psychological complexity, which is now understood to be about control and fear, not a simple lack of hunger.

In 1838, Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius coined the term 'protein' after recognizing its fundamental importance, a suggestion conveyed to his Dutch counterpart, Gerardus Mulder. Discover how did protein get its name and the fascinating scientific backstory behind this vital biochemical term.