Greek · root
graphein
scratch, draw, write
Forms
- graph-
- gram- — From the related Greek noun gramma, ‘written mark; letter.’
- grammat- — The longer stem of gramma used before grammatical endings and in compounds.
Origin
Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *gerbh-, ‘scratch; carve.’
Note
Drawing and writing belonged to the same activity of making marks.
Words sharing this root
autographWritten in a person's own hand.diagramA simplified drawing showing how something is arranged or works.epigramA short, witty saying or poem expressing a pointed idea.graphiteA soft, dark crystalline form of carbon used in pencils.holographA document written entirely in its author's own hand.holographA three-dimensional image recorded using light interference.paragraphA distinct section of writing about one topic.parallelogramA four-sided shape with both pairs of opposite sides parallel.polygraphA device for assessing possible lying by recording bodily responses.