photosystem

P3H4O1T1O1S1Y4S1T1E1M3

noun

Either of two biochemical systems, active in chloroplasts, that are part of photosynthesis

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

nounphotosystem (plural photosystems)

plural photosystems

  1. biochemistryEither of two biochemical systems, active in chloroplasts, that are part of photosynthesis

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. Englishsystem
  9. Englishphotosystem

From photo- + system.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

photosystem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/photosystem

MLA

“photosystem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/photosystem. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “photosystem,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/photosystem.

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