Where does “spectrally” come from?

Spectrally derives from Middle English -ly, Old English -līċ, Proto-Germanic -līkaz, Proto-Germanic galīkaz, and Proto-Indo-European līg- and ḱóm, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European roots meaning "like" or "similar."

spectrally (English): In a spectral manner; like a ghost; In terms of a...

Definitions

  1. In a spectral manner; like a ghost; In terms of a...

Ancestry of “spectrally”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishspectralOf, or pertaining to, spectres; ghostly; Of, or...
2EnglishspectreBritain standard spelling of specter
3Frenchspectreghost, specter; spectrum
4Latinspectrumappearance, image; apparition, specter
5Ancient GreekσκοπέωI look, look at, behold; I examine, inspect; 413...
6Ancient Greekσκοπόςwatcher, lookout; protector, guardian; spy, scout
7Ancient GreekσκέπτομαιI look at, examine; I examine, consider, think
8Proto-Hellenicsképťomaito look at
9Proto-Indo-Europeanspéḱyetito be looking at, to keep looking at
10Proto-Indo-Europeanspeḱ-to see, to look, to observe

Words derived from “spectrally

Every word from Proto-Indo-European speḱ-Every word from Proto-Indo-European spéḱyetiEvery word from Proto-Hellenic sképťomai