component

Where does the word "component" come from? It comes from Latin com ponere, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Component’s story begins in Latin: com ponere meant “to put together.” To put together, from com- (together) and ponere (to place). Within Latin, it grew into componens by ancient. Forming a part of a whole, present participle of componere. It reached English by 1600s as component. Settled as the English word for a part that makes up a larger whole. Today, component means a part or element that makes up a larger whole, especially a system or machine.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient com ponere "to put together", to put together, from com- (together) and ponere (to place).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient componens "forming a part of a whole", forming a part of a whole, present participle of componere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s component "a part that makes up a larger whole", settled as the English word for a part that makes up a larger whole.