photostriction

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noun

A change in the dimensions of some piezoelectric materials when illuminated; only occurs if the material is also photoelectric.

OriginEnglish striction ← Ancient Greek φωτο- (phōto-) ← Proto-Hellenic *pʰáwos →
Scrabble 21
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Meanings

nounphotostriction (uncountable)
  1. uncountableA change in the dimensions of some piezoelectric materials when illuminated; only occurs if the material is also photoelectric.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*bʰeh₂-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*bʰéh₂os
  3. Proto-Hellenic*pʰáwos
  4. Ancient Greekφᾰ́ος (phắos)
  5. Ancient Greekφῶς (phôs)
  6. Ancient Greekφωτο- (phōto-)
  7. Englishphoto-
  8. Englishstriction
  9. Englishphotostriction

From photo- + striction.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

photostriction. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/photostriction

MLA

“photostriction.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/photostriction. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “photostriction,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/photostriction.

Source: photostriction on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.