congress

Where does the word "congress" come from? It comes from Latin congredi, passing through Latin before entering English (1500s).

Congress’s story begins in Latin: congredi meant “to come together.” To come together, from com- (together) and gradi (to step, to walk). Within Latin, it grew into congressus by ancient. A meeting, a coming together, from congredi. It reached English by 1500s as congress. Settled as the English word for a formal meeting or a legislative assembly. Today, congress means a formal meeting for discussion, or the legislative branch of a government.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient congredi "to come together", to come together, from com- (together) and gradi (to step, to walk).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient congressus "a meeting, a coming together", a meeting, a coming together, from congredi.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s congress "a formal meeting, or a legislative assembly", settled as the English word for a formal meeting or a legislative assembly.