commute

Where does the word "commute" come from? It comes from Latin mutare, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

Commute’s story begins in Latin: mutare meant “to change.” To change, combined with com- (thoroughly). Within Latin, it grew into commutare by ancient. To change together, to exchange, from com- and mutare. It reached English by 1400s as commute. Settled as the English word for exchanging one thing for another, later traveling regularly to work. Today, commute means to travel regularly between home and work, or to reduce a legal penalty.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient mutare "to change", to change, combined with com- (thoroughly).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient commutare "to change together, to exchange", to change together, to exchange, from com- and mutare.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s commute "to exchange one thing for another, or to travel regularly to work", settled as the English word for exchanging one thing for another, later traveling regularly to work.