Piezoelectric derives from which language?

• A. Greek
• B. Latin
• C. German
• D. Arabic

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is the language origin of the term. The prefix piezo- comes from Greek, specifically the verb piezein meaning to press or squeeze. This Greek root is what gives us the term piezoelectric, describing how mechanical pressure generates an electrical response. The rest of the word, electric, has its own lineage through Latin (from a Greek root elektron), but the meaningful origin of the term—the part that conveys the “pressure” idea—is Greek. That’s why piezoelectric is derived from Greek rather than Latin.