Diatomaceous Earth
/ˌdaɪ.ətəˈmeɪʃəs ɜːrθ/noun
A soft, porous powder made chiefly from the fossilized silica-rich shells of microscopic algae called diatoms.
Did you know?The word diatom comes from Greek diatomos, meaning “cut in two,” likely referring to the organism’s appearance or method of division; the powder itself is made from ancient shell-like silica remains.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*temh-
“To cut or divide”
Ancient Greek
Greek
diatomos
“Cut in two; divided”
Ancient Greek
Greek
diatomē
“A cutting or division”
18th Century
Scientific Latin
Diatoma
“The taxonomic name for a genus of microscopic algae”
19th Century
English
diatom
“A microscopic alga with a silica shell”
19th Century
English
diatomaceous
“Composed of or resembling diatoms”
Modern English
English
diatomaceous earth
“Powdered earth consisting largely of fossilized diatom shells”