Etymology Map
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Collide

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to hit something

Where does the word "collide" come from? It comes from Latin collidere, adopted directly into English (1620s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
collidere
Latin · ancient
"to strike together"
'com-' plus 'laedere', to strike
2
Stage 2 of 2
collide
English · 1620s
"to strike together"
particle 'colliders' date from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Collide’s story begins in Latin: collidere meant “to strike together.” 'com-' plus 'laedere', to strike. It reached English by 1620s as collide. Particle 'colliders' date from the 1900s. Today, collide means to hit something.