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sa·ros

(sârŏs′, särôs)

The period of time, just under 19 years, between successive lunar or solar eclipses occurring when the sun, earth, and moon are in the same positions relative to one another. Also called saros cycle.

[Medieval Greek, from a misinterpretation of Greek saros, Babylonian astronomical cycle of 3,600 years, from Akkadian šār, šāru, the number 3,600, from Sumerian šár.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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