Pyrolysis
/paɪˈrɒl.ɪ.sɪs/noun
The chemical decomposition of a substance caused by intense heat, usually in little or no oxygen.
Did you know?The second half, -lysis, comes from the same ancient Greek root meaning “loosening” found in words such as analysis and paralysis.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*péh₂wr
“Fire; the ancient root that developed into Greek pŷr and English fire.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*lew-
“To loosen, cut apart, or separate; the root behind Greek lysis and English loose.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
pŷr (πῦρ)
“Fire.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
lýsis (λύσις)
“A loosening, release, dissolution, or separation.”
19th Century
Scientific English
pyrolysis
“A chemical process in which heat decomposes material, generally without oxygen.”