Etymology Map
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Corona

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the ring of light around the sun

Where does the word "corona" come from? It comes from Latin corona, adopted directly into English (1650s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
corona
Latin · ancient
"crown"
from Greek 'korōnē', something curved
2
Stage 2 of 2
corona
English · 1650s
"halo"
the solar corona; coronaviruses were named in 1968 for their crown-like spikes
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Read the full story

Corona’s story begins in Latin: corona meant “crown.” From Greek 'korōnē', something curved. It reached English by 1650s as corona. The solar corona; coronaviruses were named in 1968 for their crown-like spikes. Today, corona means the ring of light around the sun.