Epoxy
/ɪˈpɒk.si/noun
A type of strong adhesive, coating, or resin made by curing an epoxide compound.
Did you know?Epoxy comes from the chemical term epoxide, coined from Greek roots meaning “upon” + “sharp/acid,” because the original compounds were defined by a reactive oxygen bridge in their structure.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
epi
“upon, on, over”
Ancient Greek
Greek
oxys
“sharp, pointed, keen; also sour or acidic”
1930s
English
epoxide
“a class of highly reactive cyclic ether compounds”
1940s
English
epoxy
“a resin or adhesive based on epoxide chemistry”
Modern English
English
epoxy
“a durable synthetic resin, adhesive, or coating”