Where does “photography” come from?

Photography derives from French photographie, combining Ancient Greek φῶς meaning light and γράφω meaning to write or draw.

photography (English): The art and technology of producing images on...

Definitions

  1. The art and technology of producing images on...

Ancestry of “photography”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchphotographiephotography; photograph
2Ancient Greekφωτο-—
3Ancient GreekφῶςAttic form of φᾰ́ος
4Proto-Hellenicpʰáos—
5Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰéh₂os—
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰeh₂-to shine, glow light; to speak, say
7Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰeh₂-s-ri-—

Words derived from “photography”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰeh₂-s-ri- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰeh₂- →Every word from Ancient Greek φωτο- →