Rombus
/ˈrɒm.bəs/noun
A taxonomic name historically used for a genus of flatfishes, and an obsolete variant spelling of rhombus.
Did you know?The name ultimately echoes the Greek rhombos, a spinning top or magical whirling object, which was also associated with ritual enchantment in antiquity.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*werbʰ-
“To turn, whirl, or move in a circular motion; a proposed ancestral root.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ῥόμβος (rhómbos)
“A spinning top, whirling object, or rhombus-shaped figure.”
Classical Latin
Latin
rhombus
“A rhombus or spinning figure; also a kind of magical spinning device in some ancient contexts.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
rombus
“A reduced-spelling form of rhombus, used in learned and zoological naming.”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Rombus
“A taxonomic genus name applied to certain flatfishes.”
Modern English
English
rombus
“An obsolete spelling of rhombus or a historical zoological genus name.”