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Where does the word "context" come from? It comes from Latin contexere, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
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Where does the word "context" come from? It comes from Latin contexere, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
Context’s story begins in Latin: contexere meant “to weave together.” To weave together, from com- (together) and texere (to weave). It reached English by 1400s as context. Settled as the English word for the surrounding circumstances that give something meaning. Today, context means the surrounding circumstances or information that helps explain a situation or statement.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient contexere "to weave together", to weave together, from com- (together) and texere (to weave).
- Stage 2 · English · 1400s context "the surrounding circumstances that give something meaning", settled as the English word for the surrounding circumstances that give something meaning.