Etymology Map
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Area

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a region or part of a space

Where does the word "area" come from? It comes from Latin area, adopted directly into English (1530s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
area
Latin · ancient
"vacant ground"
an open space in a Roman city
2
Stage 2 of 2
area
English · 1530s
"open space"
'area code' dates from the 1940s
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Read the full story

Area’s story begins in Latin: area meant “vacant ground.” An open space in a Roman city. It reached English by 1530s as area. 'area code' dates from the 1940s. Today, area means a region or part of a space.