Etymology Map
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Atrocity

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an extremely wicked act

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

1
Stage 1 of 2
atrocitas
Latin · ancient
"fierceness"
from 'atrox', savage, possibly 'black-looking'
2
Stage 2 of 2
atrocity
English · 1530s
"savagery"
wartime 'atrocities' date from the 1800s
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Atrocity’s story begins in Latin: atrocitas meant “fierceness.” From 'atrox', savage, possibly 'black-looking'. It reached English by 1530s as atrocity. Wartime 'atrocities' date from the 1800s. Today, atrocity means an extremely wicked act.