photoelectric
|pho/to/e/lec/tric|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˌfoʊtoʊɪˈlɛktrɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌfəʊtəʊɪˈlɛktrɪk/
electric effects of light
Etymology
Etymology Information
'photoelectric' originates from the Greek word 'phōs' meaning 'light' and the Latin word 'electricus' meaning 'amber-like' or 'produced by friction'.
Historical Evolution
'photoelectric' was coined in the late 19th century as scientific understanding of light and electricity advanced.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to any electric effect produced by light, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or using the electric effects of light, such as the emission of electrons from a surface.
The photoelectric sensor detects light changes to trigger an alarm.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45