'polymer' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'polumerēs,' where 'poly-' meant 'many' and 'meros' meant 'part.'

'polumerēs' transformed into the French word 'polymère,' and eventually became the modern English word 'polymer' through scientific Latin.

Initially, it meant 'having many parts,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a large molecule composed of many repeated subunits.'