Pontine
/ˈpɒn.taɪn/noun
Relating to a bridge, the pons of the brain, or the Pontine region of Italy.
Did you know?The brain’s pons was named from Latin pons, “bridge,” because its nerve fibers appear to connect major parts of the brainstem.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*penth₂-
“To tread, go, or make a way; the ancestral root associated with paths and crossings.”
Proto-Italic
Proto-Italic
*ponti-
“A bridge or crossing structure.”
Classical Latin
Latin
pōns, pontis
“Bridge; a structure allowing passage across an obstacle.”
Late Latin
Latin
pontinus
“Of or relating to a bridge; also associated with the Pontine region.”
17th Century
English
pontine
“Adopted into English as an adjective meaning relating to a bridge or the brain’s pons.”
Modern English
English
pontine
“Relating to the pons, a bridge, or the Pontine area of Italy.”