Lacteous
/ˈlæk.ti.əs/noun
Milky; resembling or containing milk.
Did you know?Its root goes back to the Indo-European word for milk, the same ancient source behind words for lactation, dairy, and even the Milky Way’s Latinized name.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂melǵ- / *melg-
“to milk; milk-producing”
Latin
Latin
lac, lact-
“milk”
Late Latin
Latin
lacteus
“milky; of milk”
Middle English
English
lacteous
“milky; resembling milk”
Modern English
English
lacteous
“milky; having the appearance or qualities of milk”