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

  1. Either of two biochemical systems, active in...

Ancestry of “photosystem”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishphoto-light, electromagnetic radiation; photography
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-—
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰeh₂-s-ri- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰeh₂- →Every word from Ancient Greek φωτο- →