pixel
UK: ˈpɪk.səl | US: ˈpɪk.səl
n. the smallest controllable element of a digital image displayed on a screen
n. a tiny square of color in a raster image
pixel = pix<picture> + el<element>
- pix: Shortened form of "pictures," derived from Latin pictura (painting, image).
- el: Abbreviation of "element," from Latin elementum (basic component).
Etymology Origin:
The term "pixel" was coined in 1965 by combining "pix" (a colloquial shorthand for "pictures") and "el" (from "element"). It reflects the word's purpose: describing the smallest picture element in digital imaging. The blend captures the technological shift from analog to digital media, where images are constructed from discrete blocks.
The image resolution depends on the number of pixels per inch.
Each pixel stores color data in RGB format.
Zooming in reveals the jagged edges of individual pixels.
High-definition screens have millions of pixels.
Artists often work at the pixel level for detailed designs.