appendix

Where does the word "appendix" come from? It comes from Latin appendere, passing through Latin before entering English (1500s).

Appendix’s story begins in Latin: appendere meant “to hang upon.” To hang upon, from ad- (to) and pendere (to hang). Within Latin, it grew into appendix by ancient. Formed as a noun for something attached or hanging on. It reached English by 1500s as appendix. Settled as the English word for a small pouch attached to the intestine, and later added text. Today, appendix means a small pouch attached to the large intestine, or supplementary material added to the end of a document.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient appendere "to hang upon", to hang upon, from ad- (to) and pendere (to hang).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient appendix "something attached or hanging on", formed as a noun for something attached or hanging on.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s appendix "a small attached pouch, or supplementary material at the end of a book", settled as the English word for a small pouch attached to the intestine, and later added text.