Volt
/voʊlt/noun
A unit of electric potential difference or electromotive force.
Did you know?The electrical unit volt was named in honor of Alessandro Volta, and his surname ultimately traces back to Italian/Latin roots meaning “to turn” or “a turn,” not to electricity itself.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Latin
Latin
volvere
“to roll, turn, or twist”
Late Latin / Italian
Latin/Italian
volta
“a turn, a time, a bend, or a vault”
16th Century
Italian
Volta
“Surname meaning “turn” or “the one from Volta””
19th Century
French
volt
“Named unit of electrical potential after Alessandro Volta”
Modern English
English
volt
“The SI unit of electric potential difference”