ethnocentric

the term ethnocentric is a modern english formation, directly combining greek and latin roots. the first element, 'ethno-', originates from the greek 'ethnos', which referred to a company, troop, or later a nation or people. the second element, '-centric', derives from the greek 'kentron', meaning the stationary point of a compass, which passed into latin as 'centrum'. the suffix '-ic' is a common adjectival ending. literally, the word means 'having one's ethnic group at the center'. this construction logically reflects the concept of judging all other groups from the fixed, central vantage point of one's own cultural norms and values, a meaning fully established in the early 20th century within anthropology and sociology.

Structure: ethno (ethnic group) + centr (center) + ic (adjective suffix) ethno: from greek 'ethnos', meaning nation, people, tribe. denotes a group of people sharing a common culture or descent. centr: from latin 'centrum', from greek 'kentron', meaning sharp point, center. denotes a central point or focus. ic: from latin '-icus', greek '-ikos', an adjective-forming suffix meaning 'of or pertaining to'.