Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “polygraph” come from?

Polygraph comes from Ancient Greek πολύς (polys, many) and γράφω (graphō, to write), ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European gerebh- and ger-.

polygraph (English): A device which measures and records several...

Definitions

  1. A device which measures and records several...

Ancestry of “polygraph”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishpolyPolytechnic; Polyethylene; Polyurethane
2LatinpoliumAlternative form of polion
3LatinpolionA strong-smelling plant, perhaps Teucrium...
4Ancient Greekπόλιονfelty germander
5Ancient Greekπολιόςgrey, grizzled, grizzly; bright, clear, serene; a...
6Proto-Hellenicpoľľós—
7Proto-Indo-EuropeanpolH-yós—
8Proto-Indo-EuropeanpelH-pale, gray

Words derived from “polygraph”

  • polygrapher
  • polygraphist
  • פוליגרף
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pelH- →