πάχος
Lemma: πάχος
Translation: thickness; width; girth; fatness; obesity (noun)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek πάχος (pakhos), derived from παχύς (pakhys) meaning 'thick, fat'. The root is related to Latin pinguis (fat) and connects to the English word 'pachyderm' (thick-skinned animals like elephants). The Greek root pak- relates to density and solidity, making this word fundamental for describing physical dimensions and body weight.
Mnemonics
- Think 'pack' - when you pack things thick together
- Remember 'pachyderm' - thick-skinned elephants
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Used both in technical contexts (measuring thickness of materials) and in everyday speech about body weight. In Greek culture, discussions about weight can be more direct than in some English-speaking cultures.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: πάχος refers to thickness (depth dimension) while πλάτος refers to width (horizontal dimension)
This word:
Το πάχος του βιβλίου είναι τρία εκατοστά.
The thickness of the book is three centimeters.
Notes: πάχος is often used for body weight while πλάτος is not
Mnemonic: πάχος = pack thick, πλάτος = platform wide