Where does “photosystem” come from?
Photosystem derives from English photo- (light, from Ancient Greek φῶς) combined with system, which comes from Middle French systeme and Ancient Greek σύν (together) and steh₂- (to stand).
photosystem (English): Either of two biochemical systems, active in...
Definitions
- Either of two biochemical systems, active in...
Ancestry of “photosystem”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | photo- | light, electromagnetic radiation; photography |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | φωτο- | — |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | φῶς | Attic form of φᾰ́ος |
| 4 | Proto-Hellenic | pʰáos | — |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰéh₂os | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰeh₂- | to shine, glow light; to speak, say |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰeh₂-s-ri- | — |