How did microbes get their name?

Answer 1

As in most scientific or medical terms, prefixes, suffixes, and root words are combined to create the words. These word sections are typically from Greek or Latin. "Microbes" were named using that same method.

The study of microbes (tiny organisms that can only be seen under a microscope), is called Microbiology. The word microbes was created ("built") from the prefix, and root word in microbiology. These parts have Greek language origins.

The prefix, micro, means "tiny/minute/millionth".

The root word, bio, means "life".

The suffix ology, means "study of".

Micro + bio + ology = Microbiology = The study of very small lifeforms that can only be seen under a microscope.

This was shortened into the word Microbes to refer to the individual microorganisms. The second part of the word is a shortened form of the Greek word "bios".

Micro + bios = microbial. Micro + shortened version of bio = Microbes = Very tiny life forms requiring a microscope to visualize.

(Just for fun, follow the link in the related links section to play a word game based on words associated with microbes.)

Answer 2

The term "microbe" originates from the Greek words "micros" meaning small and "bios" meaning life. It was coined in the 19th century to describe tiny living organisms that are typically invisible to the naked eye.