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Dilute

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to make a liquid thinner

Where does the word "dilute" come from? It comes from Latin dilutus, adopted directly into English (1550s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
dilutus
Latin · ancient
"washed away"
past participle of 'diluere', to wash away
2
Stage 2 of 2
dilute
English · 1550s
"to wash away"
the chemical sense followed
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Read the full story

Dilute’s story begins in Latin: dilutus meant “washed away.” Past participle of 'diluere', to wash away. It reached English by 1550s as dilute. The chemical sense followed. Today, dilute means to make a liquid thinner.