Lumen
/ˈluː.mɛn/noun
A unit of luminous flux in the International System of Units.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, 'lumen' referred not just to light, but also to divine illumination and inspiration, linking it to the idea of enlightenment.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*lewk-
“To shine or be light.”
Latin
Latin
lumen
“Light, lamp, or source of light.”
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
lumina
“Light, often in a spiritual or metaphorical sense.”
16th Century
English
lumen
“Adopted as a scientific term for light measurement.”
Modern English
English
lumen
“Unit of luminous flux, representing brightness.”