Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “photocathode” come from?

photocathode (English) comes from English cathode, from Ancient Greek κάθοδος, from Ancient Greek κατά, from Ancient Greek καταστερίζω, from Ancient Greek ἀστήρ, from Proto-Hellenic astḗr, from Proto-Indo-European h₂stḗr, from Proto-Indo-European h₂eHs- — to be/become dry; to burn, to glow; hearth.

photocathode (English): A cathode that emits electrons when exposed to...

Definitions

  1. A cathode that emits electrons when exposed to...

Ancestry of “photocathode”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcathodeAn electrode, of a cell or other electrically...
2Ancient Greekκάθοδοςway down, descent
3Ancient Greekκατά
4Ancient Greekκαταστερίζωto place among the stars; I put among the stars
5Ancient Greekἀστήρa celestial body; illustrious person; starfish
6Proto-Hellenicastḗrstar
7Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂stḗrstar
8Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eHs-to be/become dry; to burn, to glow; hearth
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eHs- →