Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “telegraphy” come from?

Telegraphy comes from Ancient Greek τῆλε (tēle, "far") and γράφω (gráphō, "to write"), ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European roots kʷel- and gerebh- meaning distant communication through written marks.

telegraphy (English): communication at a distance by means of the...

Definitions

  1. communication at a distance by means of the...

Ancestry of “telegraphy”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishTelegraph—
2Frenchtélégraphetelegraph
3Frenchtélé-tele-
4Ancient Greekτῆλεfar off, afar, far away
5Latincommūnicāre—
6Latincommūnis—
7Old Latincom(m)oinis—
8Proto-Italickommoinis—
9Proto-Indo-Europeanḱom-moy-ni-held in common
10Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
11Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
12Middle Englishkyt—
13Germankitt—
14Old High Germankuti—
15Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
16Proto-Germanickweduzresin
17Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak

Words derived from “telegraphy”

  • radio
  • radioman
  • radiotelephone
  • radiotelegraphy
  • radiotracking
  • phototelegraphy
  • radiothon
  • nonradio
  • radioland
  • radiolike
  • radiogramophone
  • preradio
  • radioless
  • radiopager
  • antiradio
  • pantelegraphy
  • radio shack
  • radio star
  • radio-friendly
  • electrotelegraphy
  • aeradio
  • radiotelecommunication
  • радио
  • Autoradio
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʷet- →