Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “audiotape” come from?

Audiotape combines English audio, from Latin audio meaning "I hear," from Proto-Indo-European dʰeh₁-, with English tape, from Latin papyrus, from Ancient Greek πάπυρος, from Proto-Indo-European deh₂-.

audiotape (English): A magnetic tape that stores analog sound for...

Definitions

  1. A magnetic tape that stores analog sound for...

Ancestry of “audiotape”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishtapeFlexible material in a roll with a sticky surface...
2Middle EnglishtapeAlternative form of tappe; band, ribbon, tape
3Old Englishtæppatap, spigot; band, ribbon, tape
4Frankishtappō—
5Proto-Germanictappôplug; tap
6Proto-Indo-Europeandeh₂p-to sacrifice; to lose
7Proto-Indo-Europeandeh₂-to share, divide
Every word from Proto-Indo-European deh₂- →