An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A substance that is incorporated into a semiconductor material to provide free electrons (n-type impurity) or holes (p-type impurity).

Etymology (EN): Impurity, from im- negation prefix, → in-, + purity, O.Fr. pureté, from L.L. puritatem (nom. puritas) “cleanness, pureness,” from purus “clean;” cf. Av. pūitika- “serving for purification,” Mod.Pers. pâk “clean;” Skt. pavi- “to become clean,” pávate “purifies, cleanses;” O.H.G. fouwen, fewen “to sift;” PIE base *peu- “to purify, cleanse.”

Etymology (PE): Nâžâvi “impurity,” from nâ- negation prefix, → in-, + žâv “pure” + -i noun suffix.