Etymology Map
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Aviation

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the design and operation of aircraft

Where does the word "aviation" come from? It comes from Latin avis, passing through French before entering English (1866).

1
Stage 1 of 3
avis
Latin · ancient
"bird"
the root of 'aviary'
2
Stage 2 of 3
aviation
French · 1800s
"aviation"
coined by Guillaume de La Landelle in 1863
3
Stage 3 of 3
aviation
English · 1866
"flight"
the Wright brothers flew in 1903
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Read the full story

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.