Chlorophyll
/ˈklɔːrəˌfɪl/noun
The green pigment in plants and algae that captures light for photosynthesis.
Did you know?The word was coined in the early 19th century from Greek roots, and its “chloro-” element is the same ancient root behind words like chlorine and chlorosis, all tied to vivid green-yellow color.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
χλωρός (khlōrós)
“greenish, pale green, yellow-green”
Ancient Greek
Greek
φύλλον (phýllon)
“leaf”
1818
French
chlorophylle
“a green plant pigment”
19th Century
English
chlorophyll
“the green coloring matter of plants”