adamos
/aˈðamos/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
ἀδάμας — unconquerable
Overview
Meaning Now
- An ancient Greek term related to the concept of untamability or 'indestructibility', often used as a direct precursor to the mineral 'adamant'.
- A legendary or mythical substance characterized by extreme hardness or invincibility.
Literal older meaning
unconquerable; untamable
Language path
Ancient Greek
Earliest form
ἀδάμας
Earliest period
8th century BC
Journey
In Greek mythology and early science, 'adamas' was not a specific geological term for a diamond, but a poetic descriptor for any substance that could not be broken or subdued, often applied to the hardest metals like steel.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*dem-
“to tame, subdue”
- Ancient Greek
ἀδάμας (adámas)
“the unconquerable”
Used by Homer to describe a material of extreme hardness.
- Latin
adamās
“hardest iron; steel; diamond”
Borrowed into Latin as the noun for very hard metals or gems.
- Old French
adamant
“hard stone; loadstone”
Influenced by Latin accusative forms.
Connections
Word parts
a-
prefix
not, without
damaō
root
to tame, subdue
Related across languages
Latin
adamās
hardest iron
Sanskrit
dāmyati
he tames
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Related to adamos
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.