- palindrome (n.)
- "line that reads the same backward and forward," 1620s, from Greek palindromos "a recurrence," literally "a running back." Second element is dromos "a running" (see dromedary); first is palin "again, back," from PIE *kwle-i-, from root *kwel- (1) forming words to do with turning, rolling, and wheels (see cycle (n.)), here with notion of "revolving." PIE *kw- becomes Greek p- before some vowels. Related: Palindromic.
