Where does “wavenumber” come from?
wavenumber (English) comes from English number, from English numb, from English nim, from Middle English nimen, from Old English niman, from Proto-West Germanic neman, from Proto-Germanic nemaną, from Proto-Indo-European nem- — to distribute; to give, to take.
wavenumber (English): A measure of the number of waves in unit...
Definitions
- A measure of the number of waves in unit...
Ancestry of “wavenumber”, step by step
wavenumber traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English number
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | number | An abstract entity used to describe quantity; A... |
| 2 | English | numb | Physically unable to feel, not having the power... |
| 3 | English | nim | To take or seize; To filch, steal; To walk with... |
| 4 | Middle English | nimen | to take |
| 5 | Old English | niman | to take, seize |
| 6 | Proto-West Germanic | neman | to take |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | nemaną | to take |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | nem- | to distribute; to give, to take |
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 |