Nema
/ˈniː.mə/noun
A threadlike structure, especially one occurring in a cell or microorganism.
Did you know?The Greek root behind nema also appears in scientific names such as nematode, literally describing organisms as threadlike.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sneh₁-
“To spin or twist thread”
Ancient Greek
Greek
νῆμα (nêma)
“Thread or spun yarn”
Hellenistic Greek
Greek
νῆμα (nêma)
“A filament or threadlike structure”
Late Classical–Medieval Period
Latin
nema
“A thread; a term adopted in learned scientific vocabulary”
19th Century
English
nema
“A threadlike anatomical or microscopic structure”
Modern English
English
nema
“A technical term for a threadlike structure”