photo
ˈfoʊ.toʊ
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
φῶς (phōs) — light
Overview
Meaning Now
- A picture or image produced by means of chemical action or light-sensitive electronic sensors.
- A photograph.
Literal older meaning
light-drawing
Language path
Ancient Greek → English
Earliest form
photo
Earliest period
19th century
Journey
The word 'photograph' was coined in the mid-19th century as the new technology of capturing images emerged. Scientists like Sir John Herschel and William Henry Fox Talbot were searching for terms that accurately described the process of 'drawing with light.' 'Photo' serves as the standard, informal clipping of the longer term.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
phōs
“light”
- Modern English (1839)
photograph
“a drawing or writing made by light”
Coined by Sir John Herschel from Greek phōs and graphē.
- Modern English (mid-19th century)
photo
“abbreviated form of photograph”
Commonly accepted shortened form.
Connections
Word parts
photo-
prefix
related to light
Related across languages
Ancient Greek
phōs
light
Explore next
Related to photo
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.