Greek 'according to a ratio' — data as continuous proportion, versus 'digital' from Latin 'finger,' counting in steps.
Definition
Relating to or using signals or information represented by a continuously variable physical quantity, as opposed to digital.
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Greek19th century (technical sense)well-attested
From French analogue, from Greek ἀνάλογος (análogos, "proportionate, conformable"), from ἀνά (aná, "upon, according to") and λόγος (lógos, "ratio, word, reason"). The prefix ἀνά derives from PIE *h₂en- ("on, upon"), also yielding English on and Latin an- in various compounds. Λόγος comes from PIE *leǵ- ("to gather, collect, speak"), the same
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'Analog' means 'proportional' — from Greek 'logos' (ratio). An analog clock's handsmove in proportion to time; an analog vinyl record has grooves proportional to sound waves. 'Digital' (from Latin 'digitus,' finger) means 'counted on fingers' — discrete steps rather than smooth proportions. The
19th century. The modern technical sense distinguishing analog from digital arose in the mid-20th century with computing: an analog device represents data through continuously variable physical quantities (voltage, rotation, pressure) that are analogous to the measured values, while a digital device uses discrete numerical encoding. This technical distinction revived the ancient Greek mathematical sense — analog literally means "according to ratio," and analog computing works by maintaining proportional physical relationships. The spelling analog (vs. analogue) is standard in American technical usage. Key roots: ana- (Greek: "up, upon, according to"), logos (Greek: "ratio, proportion, reason, word").