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Decibel

2 stages from Scots to English.

Today it means a unit measuring the intensity of sound

Where does the word "decibel" come from? It comes from Scots Bell, adopted directly into English (1928).

1
Stage 1 of 2
Bell
Scots · 1876
"a family name"
Alexander Graham Bell, born in Edinburgh in 1847, patented the telephone in 1876
2
Stage 2 of 2
decibel
American English · 1928
"unit of sound level"
Latin decimus 'tenth' + bel; Bell Telephone Laboratories named the bel after him in 1928, and the tenth-part decibel became the practical unit
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Read the full story

Decibel’s story begins in Scots: Bell meant “a family name.” Alexander Graham Bell, born in Edinburgh in 1847, patented the telephone in 1876. It reached English by 1928 as decibel. Latin decimus 'tenth' + bel; Bell Telephone Laboratories named the bel after him in 1928, and the tenth-part decibel became the practical unit. Today, decibel means a unit measuring the intensity of sound.