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by Highlander is semi-retired from AB on August 21st, 2007

Highlander is semi-retired from AB

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Where does the word 'biography' originate?

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  • by TheicidalManiac on October 20th, 2008

    TheicidalManiac

    According to the Online Etymological Dictionary this form was first used in 1683, though the Greek equivalent "biographia" is from about 1200 years earlier.

    The Greek noun for "record" (graphia) is a backformation from the verb meaning "to write" (graphein). This was pasted on to the word "bio" (life) which is thought to have come from a Proto-IndoEuropean verb "gweien," meaning "to live." In fact this is thought to be the some source from which comes the Latin version of "life" - vita.

    The two together clearly combine to make the meaning of "life record."

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  • by Farino on August 21st, 2007

    Farino

    "Biography (from the Greek words bios meaning "life", and graphein meaning "write")"
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biography

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