photographic
Meaning
Relating to, used in, or produced by photography.
(of a person's memory) Able to retain facts, appearances, or scenes in precise detail, like a photograph.
Structure
Usage
The exhibition displayed his extraordinary photographic skill.
She has a near-photographic memory for historical dates.
The detective examined the photographic evidence carefully.
Etymology
The word 'photographic' is built upon the core concept of 'drawing with light'. Its first element, 'photo-', originates from the Greek 'phōs', meaning light. The second element, '-graph-', derives from the Greek verb 'graphein', meaning to write or draw. Combined, they form 'photograph', literally a 'light-drawing'. The adjectival suffix '-ic', of Greek and Latin origin, is then appended to create a term describing anything pertaining to this process. Thus, the modern abstract meaning evolved from the literal mechanical process of recording images through the action of light onto a sensitive surface.
Analysis
photo: From Greek 'phōs, phōt-', meaning 'light'. It functions as a combining form denoting light. graph: From Greek 'graph-', from 'graphein', meaning 'to write, draw, or record'. It functions as a combining form denoting an instrument for recording or a process of writing. ic: A suffix of Greek and Latin origin, forming adjectives meaning 'of, pertaining to, or characteristic of'.