Kapnometer
/kæpˈnɒmɪtə/noun
An instrument that measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaled air.
Did you know?Although its name comes from the Ancient Greek word for smoke, a kapnometer detects carbon dioxide rather than visible smoke and is especially important during anesthesia and critical care.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*keh₂p-
“A reconstructed root associated with smoke or vapor, underlying Greek kapnos.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
καπνός (kapnos)
“Smoke; vapor rising from burning material.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μέτρον (metron)
“A measure, measuring device, or standard.”
19th–20th Century
Scientific Greek
capnometry
“Measurement of carbon dioxide, especially in exhaled air; formed from kapnos and metron.”
20th Century
Medical English
capnometer
“An instrument used to measure exhaled carbon dioxide.”
Modern English
English
kapnometer
“A variant spelling of capnometer, a carbon-dioxide measuring instrument.”