Where does “wavefunction” come from?
Function derives from Middle French function, from Latin functio, from the past participle functus meaning "performed," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European -kos.
wavefunction (English): A mathematical function that describes the...
Definitions
- A mathematical function that describes the...
Ancestry of “wavefunction”, step by step
wavefunction traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English function
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | function | What something does or is used for; A... |
| 2 | Middle French | function | function what something's intended use is |
| 3 | Latin | functiō | performance, execution (of a task) |
| 4 | Latin | -tiō | tion, -ation, -ing |
| 5 | Latin | dissertātiō | (spoken) dissertation, discourse, disquisition |
| 6 | Latin | dissertus | arranged, disposed; explained |
| 7 | Latin | disserere | second-person singular future passive indicative... |
| 8 | Latin | dis- | asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;... |
| 9 | Latin | calceus | shoe |
| 10 | Latin | calx | limestone; chalk; the finish line |
| 11 | Ancient Greek | χάλιξ | small stone, pebble; gravel, rubble |
via English wave
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | wave | To move back and forth repeatedly and somewhat... |
| 2 | Middle English | wawe | A wave; Any sort of flowing or spurting motion;... |
| 3 | Old English | wǣġ | a weight; a tool for weighing, balance, scale |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | wēgaz | wave; sea |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | weǵʰ- | to bring; to transport |