Etymology Map
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Collaborate

2 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means to work jointly with others

Where does the word "collaborate" come from? It comes from Late Latin collaborare, adopted directly into English (1870s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
collaborare
Late Latin · ancient
"to work together"
'com-' plus 'laborare', to work
2
Stage 2 of 2
collaborate
English · 1870s
"to work together"
'collaborator' as a traitor dates from World War II
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Read the full story

Collaborate’s story begins in Late Latin: collaborare meant “to work together.” 'com-' plus 'laborare', to work. It reached English by 1870s as collaborate. 'collaborator' as a traitor dates from World War II. Today, collaborate means to work jointly with others.