photothermoelasticity

noun

The changes in the optical properties of a dielectric when subject to heat-induced mechanical stress.

OriginEnglish thermoelasticity ← Ancient Greek φωτο- (phōto-) ← Proto-Hellenic *pʰáwos →
Scrabble 36
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Meanings

nounphotothermoelasticity (uncountable)
  1. uncountableThe changes in the optical properties of a dielectric when subject to heat-induced mechanical stress.

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. Englishthermoelasticity
  9. Englishphotothermoelasticity

From photo- + thermoelasticity.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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