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Coalition

2 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means an alliance for combined action

Where does the word "coalition" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin coalitio, adopted directly into English (1610s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
coalitio
Medieval Latin · medieval
"growing together"
from 'coalescere', to grow together
2
Stage 2 of 2
coalition
English · 1610s
"union"
political coalitions date from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Coalition’s story begins in Medieval Latin: coalitio meant “growing together.” From 'coalescere', to grow together. It reached English by 1610s as coalition. Political coalitions date from the 1700s. Today, coalition means an alliance for combined action.