Etymology Map
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Annihilate

2 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means to destroy utterly

Where does the word "annihilate" come from? It comes from Late Latin annihilare, adopted directly into English (1520s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
annihilare
Late Latin · ancient
"to reduce to nothing"
'ad-' plus 'nihil', nothing
2
Stage 2 of 2
annihilate
English · 1520s
"to destroy"
'nihilism' shares the root
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Read the full story

Annihilate’s story begins in Late Latin: annihilare meant “to reduce to nothing.” 'ad-' plus 'nihil', nothing. It reached English by 1520s as annihilate. 'nihilism' shares the root. Today, annihilate means to destroy utterly.