Etymology Map
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Category

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a class of things sharing characteristics

Where does the word "category" come from? It comes from Greek katēgoria, passing through Late Latin before entering English (1580s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
katēgoria
Greek · ancient
"accusation; predicate"
an accusation in law; Aristotle used it for the classes of things one can say about something
2
Stage 2 of 3
categoria
Late Latin · ancient
"category"
Boethius translated Aristotle's Categories
3
Stage 3 of 3
category
English · 1580s
"a class or division"
moved from philosophy to general use
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Read the full story

Category’s story begins in Greek: katēgoria meant “accusation; predicate.” An accusation in law; Aristotle used it for the classes of things one can say about something. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as categoria. Boethius translated Aristotle's Categories. It reached English by 1580s as category. Moved from philosophy to general use. Today, category means a class of things sharing characteristics.