analogous

the word "analogous" entered english in the 17th century from latin analogus, which itself was borrowed from greek analogos, meaning "proportionate". the greek term is a compound of the prefix ana- ("according to") and logos (here meaning "ratio" or "proportion"). the core logic is one of correspondence: things are analogous when they stand in a similar relationship or proportion to something else. this mathematical and logical sense of "proportion" evolved into the more general modern meaning of "similar in function or character". the suffix -ous was added through latin influence to form the adjective, solidifying its meaning as "having the quality of being in proportion".

Structure: ana (according to) + log (word, ratio) + ous (adjective suffix) - ana: a prefix of greek origin meaning "up, back, again, throughout, according to". - log: from greek logos, meaning "word, speech, reason, proportion, ratio". in this word, it carries the sense of "ratio" or "proportion". - ous: an adjective-forming suffix of latin origin, via old french, meaning "full of, having the qualities of".