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Where does the word "aviation" come from? It comes from Latin avis, passing through French before entering English (1866).
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Where does the word "aviation" come from? It comes from Latin avis, passing through French before entering English (1866).
Aviation’s story begins in Latin: avis meant “bird.” The root of 'aviary'. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in French as aviation. Coined by Guillaume de La Landelle in 1863. It reached English by 1866 as aviation. The Wright brothers flew in 1903. Today, aviation means the design and operation of aircraft.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient avis "bird", the root of 'aviary'.
- Stage 2 · French · 1800s aviation "aviation", coined by Guillaume de La Landelle in 1863.
- Stage 3 · English · 1866 aviation "flight", the Wright brothers flew in 1903.