Nomadism
/ˈnɒm.ə.dɪ.zəm/noun
A way of life characterized by regularly moving from place to place, often in search of pasture or resources.
Did you know?The Greek root behind nomadism is also connected with nomos, meaning an allotment or customary order—ideas of movement, land distribution, and social law once shared the same linguistic ancestry.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*nem-
“To assign, distribute, or manage; a root associated with allotting land or pasture.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
nomós
“Pasture or grazing ground; also an allotment or customary order.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
nomás
“Roaming or grazing, especially describing pastoral people or animals.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
nomas
“A wandering or pastoral person; a nomad.”
16th Century
French
nomade
“Nomadic; wandering from place to place, especially as a pastoral way of life.”
17th Century
English
nomad
“A member of a wandering pastoral people.”
19th Century
English
nomadism
“The condition or practice of living as a nomad.”