Etymology Map
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Album

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a book for photos; a collection of recordings

Where does the word "album" come from? It comes from Latin albus, adopted directly into English (1650s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
albus
Latin · ancient
"white"
a white tablet for public notices in Rome
2
Stage 2 of 2
album
English · 1650s
"blank book"
record 'albums' date from the 1900s
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Album’s story begins in Latin: albus meant “white.” A white tablet for public notices in Rome. It reached English by 1650s as album. Record 'albums' date from the 1900s. Today, album means a book for photos; a collection of recordings.