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De facto

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means existing in fact or practice, regardless of official recognition
1
Stage 1 of 2
de facto
Latin · medieval
"from the fact, in practice"
literally from the fact, describing something existing in practice, regardless of official status
2
Stage 2 of 2
de facto
English · 1600s
"existing in practice, whether or not officially recognized"
adopted directly for something existing in practice, whether or not officially recognized
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