Etymology of the English word spectrum
the English word
spectrumderived from the Latin word
spectrum (specter, apparition)
derived from the Latin word
specere (to look at; look at, see)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*spek-Date
The earliest known usage of spectrum in English dates from the 17th century.
Cognates
Dutch
spectrum, French
spectre, German
Spektrum, Norwegian
spektrum, Swedish
spektrum
