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Where does the word "ammunition" come from? It comes from Latin munitio, passing through French before entering English (1620s).
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Where does the word "ammunition" come from? It comes from Latin munitio, passing through French before entering English (1620s).
Ammunition’s story begins in Latin: munitio meant “fortification.” From 'munire', to fortify. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as la munition. Military supplies; misheard as 'l'amunition'. It reached English by 1620s as ammunition. Later narrowed to bullets and shells. Today, ammunition means bullets and shells for weapons.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient munitio "fortification", from 'munire', to fortify.
- Stage 2 · French · 1600s la munition "munitions", military supplies; misheard as 'l'amunition'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1620s ammunition "military supplies", later narrowed to bullets and shells.