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
- A device which measures and records several...
Ancestry of “polygraph”, step by step
polygraph traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English poly
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | poly | Polytechnic; Polyethylene; Polyurethane |
| 2 | Latin | polium | Alternative form of polion |
| 3 | Latin | polion | A strong-smelling plant, perhaps Teucrium... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | πόλιον | felty germander |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | πολιός | grey, grizzled, grizzly; bright, clear, serene; a... |
| 6 | Proto-Hellenic | poľľós | grey |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | polH-yós | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | pelH- | pale, gray |
via English graph
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | graph | A data chart intended to illustrate the... |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | γράφω | to scratch, cut into; to draw, sketch, paint; to... |
| 3 | Proto-Hellenic | grəpʰō | to scratch, cut or carve into |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | gerbʰ- | to carve |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | ger- | to turn, bend, twist, wind; to tie, bind... |