Caseous
/ˈkeɪ.zi.əs/noun
Relating to or resembling cheese; especially describing a crumbly, cheese-like tissue in certain diseases.
Did you know?‘Caseous’ comes from Latin *caseus* (“cheese”), the same ancient root behind the scientific name *casein*, the main protein in milk.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kwat- / *kwat-ey-
“A proposed prehistoric root connected with curdling or cheese-making in some reconstructions, though the Latin form is the secure starting point for this word's history.”
Classical Latin
Latin
caseus
“Cheese.”
Late Latin
Latin
caseōsus
“Cheesy; full of cheese, or cheese-like.”
17th Century
English
caseous
“Cheese-like; having the nature or appearance of cheese.”
Modern English
English
caseous
“Describing tissue that resembles cheese, especially the crumbly material seen in some infections.”