насекомое (Russian)

Where does "насекомое" come from?

The Russian word for insect, 'насекомое', is actually a literal translation, or calque, of the French word 'insecte'. It is derived from the verb 'насекать' (to make incisions/notches), reflecting the ancient idea that insects have segmented, notched bodies. This Russian term mimics the classical roots of the English equivalent, which traces back to the Latin 'insectum', meaning 'cut into'.

Full etymology tree

• насекомое (Russian), 'insect'
  • derived насека́ть (Russian)
    • prefix на- (Russian), 'onto, upon'
    • derived сечь (Russian), 'to cut (up), to chop, to hew, to slash to pieces; to cleave'
      • inherited *sěťi (Proto-Slavic), 'to cut, mow'

Updated June 2026

More words starting with OTHER

Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris