Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “photoelectric” come from?

Photoelectric comes from English photo- and -electric, combining Ancient Greek φωτω- (light) and Latin -icus, tracing to Proto-Indo-European roots meaning to shine or appear.

photoelectric (English): Of or relating to the electric effects of...

Definitions

  1. Of or relating to the electric effects of...

Ancestry of “photoelectric”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishelectricOf, relating to, produced by, operated with, or...
2English-allyAlternative form of -ly , used with adjectives in...
3EnglishahistoricSynonym of ahistorical
4EnglishhistoricVery important; noteworthy: having importance or...
5Latinhistoricushistorical
6Latinhistoriahistory; account; story
7Ancient Greekἱστορίαinquiry, examination, systematic observation,...
8Ancient Greekἱστορέωto inquire, ask; to examine, observe; to record,...
9Ancient Greekἵστωρone who knows law and right, judge; witness; a...
10Proto-Hellenicwístōr—
11Proto-Indo-Europeanwéydtōrone who has seen, one who knows
12Indo-European*weyd-—

Words derived from “photoelectric”

  • photoelectrically
Every word from Indo-European *weyd- →