onto-comb. form

Etymology: < ancient Greek ὀντ-, ὄν (plural ὄντα ) being, that which exists, use as noun of ὀντ-, ὄν, neuter singular present participle of εἶναι to be (see be v.) + -o- connective. Compare post-classical Latin onto- (formations in which are found from the mid 17th cent.), French onto- (formations in which are found from the late 17th cent.), German onto- (formations in which are found from at least the mid 18th cent.).Attested earliest in a philosophical context in words borrowed or adapted from post-classical Latin in the late 17th cent. and early 18th cent. (as e.g. ontologic adj., ontology n., ontosophy n.). English formations are found from the early 18th cent. (apparently earliest in ontologist n.). From the mid 19th cent. also found in a biological context (originally after similar formations in German; compare ontogenetic adj., ontogeny n.).