aroma

Where does the word "aroma" come from? It comes from Greek arōma, passing through Latin before entering English (1810s).

Aroma’s story begins in Greek: arōma meant “spice.” Used for spices and sweet herbs. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as aroma. Sweet-smelling plants. It reached English by 1810s as aroma. Shifted from the spice to its pleasing smell. Today, aroma means a distinctive, usually pleasant smell.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient arōma "spice", used for spices and sweet herbs.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient aroma "spice", sweet-smelling plants.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1810s aroma "a pleasant smell", shifted from the spice to its pleasing smell.