Which word has the same root as the word “photograph”?
A. transport
B. telegram
C. autograph
D. photostat
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. autograph.
Explanation:
The word “photograph” comes from the Greek roots “photo-” meaning light and “-graph” meaning to write or to draw. A photograph, therefore, literally means “writing with light”, referring to the process of capturing an image through light exposure on a photosensitive surface, like film or a digital sensor.
Now, let’s look at the options:
- A. Transport: This word has the Latin root “port”, meaning to carry (from “portare”). It is unrelated to the root of “photograph,” which involves light and writing/drawing, not carrying.
- B. Telegram: The root “gram” in telegram comes from the Greek word “gramma”, meaning letter or something written. While it shares the “-gram” part with “photograph,” it doesn’t share the photo- (light) root. The word telegram refers to a message sent by telegraph, which involves written communication, not light.
- C. Autograph: This word shares both the roots “auto-“ (meaning self) and “-graph” (meaning to write). An autograph is literally “to write by oneself,” which directly shares the “-graph” root with photograph. The similarity in the root of writing or drawing connects autograph and photograph most closely.
- D. Photostat: Photostat refers to a brand of machine that makes photocopies, derived from the Greek photo- (light) and stat- (standing or stationary), meaning to make copies by light. While it does share the photo- root, the “-stat” part differs from the “-graph” in photograph. It is related to photography, but not in the same way as autograph is.
In conclusion, the word that shares the same root as photograph is autograph because both contain the “-graph” part, referring to the act of writing or drawing.