pixel
UK[ˈpɪk.səl]US[ˈpɪk.səl]
n
The smallest individual unit of a digital image or picture on a computer or television screen.
Morpheme Breakdown
pix
el
pix
picture
el
element
Etymology
The word "pixel" is a modern portmanteau, a blend of two abbreviated English words: "pix" (a colloquial shortening of "pictures") and "el" (from "element"). It was coined in the 1960s to describe the fundamental picture element in digital imaging. The logic is perfectly transparent: a pixel is the elemental, indivisible component that, combined with many others, constructs a complete digital picture. This term elegantly captures the core concept of discrete, quantized visual information in computer graphics and digital displays.
Analysis
Structure: pix (picture) + el (element)
- pix: A shortened, informal form of "pictures," originating from the abbreviation "pics." Its functional role is to denote the subject matter of the word (images).
- el: A shortened form of "element," from Latin elementum meaning a first principle, component part. Its functional role is to denote the fundamental unit or building block.
Examples
The resolution of a screen is determined by the number of pixels per inch.
When you zoom in too far on a digital photo, the image becomes blurry and you can see individual pixels.
Modern smartphone cameras have sensors with tens of millions of pixels.