Opto
/ˈɒp.toʊ/noun
A combining form meaning “light” or “vision,” used in words related to sight or optical devices.
Did you know?The root behind *opto-* goes back to Greek *ōps*, meaning “eye,” which also gave English words tied to vision and appearance, not magic—but it has long felt magical because it names the act of seeing itself.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*okw-
“to see”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὤψ (ōps)
“eye, face, sight”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὀπτικός (optikós)
“of sight, visual”
Late Latin
Latin
opticus
“of sight, visual”
Modern English
English
opto-
“combining form relating to light or vision”