rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: ballein
Greek

ballein

throw or cast

Forms

  • ballein
  • ball- — The form retained in some derivatives.
  • bol- — A changed form used in other formations.
  • blē- — Another changed form found in related Greek words.

Origin

From an old Indo-European family associated with throwing or striking.

Note

Throwing can describe physical movement or putting an idea forward.

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A clear natural-ink cellular vignette shows food-derived small molecules being converted into usable energy and building materials for tissue, with a realistic food portion and muscle-fiber inset; no chemical formulas claimed.
noun

metabolism

muh-TAB-uh-liz-um/məˈtæbəlɪzəm/

The chemical processes by which a living thing uses energy and materials.

Etymology
metaGreekwith, after; change
+bolGreekthrow or cast
+ismFrenchan action, practice, or system

The elements for “change” and “throw” combine in a Greek verb meaning “to change.” Metabolism applies that idea to the body’s continual chemical transformation of food and other substances.

Full entry

Related word entries