Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “voltmeter” come from?

Voltmeter derives from English volt, from Ancient Greek μέτρον meaning "measure," combined with -τρον, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European wel- meaning "to turn."

voltmeter (English): An instrument for measuring electric potential in...

Definitions

  1. An instrument for measuring electric potential in...

Ancestry of “voltmeter”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishvoltIn the International System of Units, the derived...
2Frenchvolte—
3Italianvoltatime, instance, occasion; turn; vault
4Vulgar Latinvoltanominative/accusative/vocative plural of voltum
5Latinvolatusflown, having been flown; flying; flight
6Latinvolō—
7Proto-Italicgʷelāō—
8Proto-Indo-Europeangʷelh₁-éh₂-ye-tito throw, raise the arm
9Proto-Indo-EuropeangʷelH-to throw, reach, pierce; to hit by throwing

Words derived from “voltmeter”

  • microvoltmeter
  • nanovoltmeter
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʷelH- →