1876, from spectro- + -graph "instrument for recording; something written." Related: Spectrographic; spectrography.
Entries linking to spectrograph
spectro-
word-forming element meaning "of or by a spectroscope," also "of radiant energy," from combining form of spectrum.
-graph
modern word-forming element meaning "instrument for recording; that which writes, marks, or describes; something written," from Greek -graphos "-writing, -writer" (as in autographos "written with one's own hand"), from graphe "writing, the art of writing, a writing," from graphein "to write, express by written characters," earlier "to draw, represent by lines drawn" (see -graphy). Adopted widely (Dutch -graaf, German -graph, French -graphe, Spanish -grafo). Related: -grapher; -graphic; -graphical.