antenna
/ænˈtɛnə/
noun
Origin
Latin
antemna — sail yard
Overview
Meaning Now
- A sensory appendage found on the heads of insects, myriapods, and crustaceans.
- A metallic device (often a rod or wire) for transmitting or receiving radio waves.
Literal older meaning
sail yard
Language path
Latin → English
Earliest form
antenna
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The term was introduced into the study of zoology by 17th-century naturalists like René-Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur. The transition to the technological sense occurred in the early 20th century when Guglielmo Marconi and other inventors needed a term for their electromagnetic signal receivers, as these rods resembled the thin, elongated biological structures.
Evolution
- Classical Latin
antemna
“sail yard of a ship”
Metaphorical extension by naturalists to insect feelers due to their resemblance to horizontal yardarms.
- New Latin (17th century)
antenna
“insect feeler”
Adopted by scientific writers in place of the older 'antemna'.
- Modern English (20th century)
antenna
“radio/television signal receiver”
Extended from biological use to describe technological aerials.
Connections
Word parts
antenna
root
sail yard; feeler
Related across languages
Italian
antenna / pole
Spanish
antena
antenna / aerial
Explore next
Related to antenna
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.