biometric etymology

Etymology

The word "biometric" is derived from Greek words:

  • bios meaning "life"
  • metron meaning "measure"

Meaning

Biometric refers to the measurement and analysis of biological or behavioral characteristics of an individual for identification or authentication purposes.

Origin

The term "biometric" was first coined in the 1850s by the French physician Alphonse Bertillon, who developed the Bertillon system for criminal identification. Bertillon's system relied on physical measurements and photographs to distinguish individuals.

Evolution

In the early days, biometrics focused primarily on physical characteristics, such as:

  • Fingerprints
  • Facial features
  • Iris patterns
  • Palm prints

Over time, biometrics has expanded to include behavioral characteristics, such as:

  • Voice recognition
  • Signature recognition
  • Gait analysis

Uses

Today, biometrics is widely used in various applications, including:

  • Identity verification
  • Access control
  • Criminal investigations
  • Surveillance
  • Healthcare

biometric relate terms

  • biometry

    Etymology The term biometry is derived from two Greek words Bio βίος meanin

  • image

    Etymology The word image comes from the Latin word imago which in turn comes from th

  • cologne

    Etymology The word cologne comes from the Latin word aqua colonia which means water

  • reckon

    Etymology Middle English reknen from Old English reccan Proto West Germanic rakōn

  • occult

    Etymology The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus which means hidden

  • oblivion

    Etymology Latin oblivīsci to forget Ultimately from the Proto Indo European r

  • forsake

    Etymology Old English forsacan Proto Germanic fursakaną Proto Indo European pre sk

  • Deuteronomy

  • warrant

    Etymology The word warrant originates from the Old French term warant which in turn

  • Tartar

    Etymology Tartar is derived from the Latin word Tartarus which refers to the deepest a

  • argument

    Etymology The word argument derives from the Latin word arguere meaning to make cl