consolidate

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

Consolidate’s story begins in Latin: solidus meant “solid, whole.” Solid, whole, combined with com- (thoroughly). Within Latin, it grew into consolidare by ancient. To make solid together, to combine, from com- and solidus. It reached English by 1500s as consolidate. Settled as the English word for combining separate things into a single, stronger whole. Today, consolidate means to combine separate things into a single, stronger, or more effective whole.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient solidus "solid, whole", solid, whole, combined with com- (thoroughly).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient consolidare "to make solid together, to combine", to make solid together, to combine, from com- and solidus.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s consolidate "to combine separate things into a single, stronger whole", settled as the English word for combining separate things into a single, stronger whole.