Nilometer
/naɪˈlɒmɪtər/noun
A structure or device used to measure the changing water level of the Nile River.
Did you know?Nilometers were often built into temples, linking practical flood measurement with priestly authority and the religious importance of the Nile’s annual inundation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*meh₁-
“To measure; establish a size or proportion”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μέτρον (metron)
“Measure, rule, or standard”
Ancient Egyptian
Egyptian
iteru
“The river; the ancient Egyptian name associated with the Nile”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Νεῖλος (Neilos)
“The Nile River; the source of the classical name”
Ancient Latin
Latin
Nilus
“The Nile”
19th Century
French
nilomètre
“An instrument or structure for measuring the Nile’s level”
19th Century
English
nilometer
“A Nile-measuring instrument or structure”