tem-

To cut. Also temə- (oldest form *temə₂-).

I. Form *temə-. Nasalized form *t(e)m-n-ə-. tmesis, tome, -tome, -tomy; anatomy, atom, diatom, dichotomy, entomo-, epitome, from Greek temnein, to cut, with o-grade forms tomos, cutting, a cut, section, volume, and tomē, a cutting.

II. Form *tem-.

1. Suffixed form *tem-lo-. temple¹, temple³; contemplate, from Latin templum, temple, shrine, open place for observation (augury term < “place reserved or cut out”), small piece of timber.

2. Extended root *tem-d- becoming *tend- in o-grade suffixed (iterative) form *tond-eyo-. tonsorial, tonsure, from Latin tondēre, to shear, shave.

 

[Pokorny 1. tem- 1062.]

* * *