Where does “photo” come from?
Photo is a shortening of English photograph, ultimately derived from Ancient Greek γράφω meaning "to write" and Proto-Indo-European roots indicating writing and becoming.
photo (English): A photograph; A photo finish; To take a...
Definitions
- A photograph; A photo finish; To take a...
Ancestry of “photo”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | photography | The art and technology of producing images on... |
| 2 | French | photographie | photography; photograph |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | φωτο- | — |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | φῶς | Attic form of φᾰ́ος |
| 5 | Proto-Hellenic | pʰáos | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰéh₂os | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰeh₂- | to shine, glow light; to speak, say |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰeh₂-s-ri- | — |