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What percentage of English words come from greek words?

It's difficult to give a precise percentage of English words that come from Greek words, as it depends on how you define "come from" and how you count words.

Here's why:

* Evolution of Language: English has evolved through centuries, borrowing words from many languages. It's not just a simple "addition" of Greek words.

* Word Families: Many English words are related to Greek words, but not direct translations. For example, "telephone" comes from Greek "tele" (far) and "phone" (sound), but it's not a direct translation.

* Multiple Origins: Many words have multiple origins, making it hard to attribute a single source.

However, some estimates suggest that:

* Around 15% of English vocabulary is derived from Greek: This includes direct borrowings, words with Greek roots, and words that have been shaped by Greek influence.

* The percentage is higher for specific areas of vocabulary: For example, scientific and technical terms have a very high proportion of Greek roots.

It's important to remember that these are estimates, and the exact percentage is impossible to determine.

Overall, Greek has had a significant impact on the English language, and its influence is evident in various aspects of vocabulary, including scientific, philosophical, literary, and everyday usage.

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