Etymology Map
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Digit

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a numeral from 0 to 9; a finger

Where does the word "digit" come from? It comes from Latin digitus, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
digitus
Latin · ancient
"finger, toe"
numbers were counted on the fingers
2
Stage 2 of 2
digit
English · 1400s
"numeral"
'digital' computers date from the 1940s
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Read the full story

Digit’s story begins in Latin: digitus meant “finger, toe.” Numbers were counted on the fingers. It reached English by 1400s as digit. 'digital' computers date from the 1940s. Today, digit means a numeral from 0 to 9; a finger.