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Where does the word "dilute" come from? It comes from Latin dilutus, and was adopted directly into English (1550s).
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Where does the word "dilute" come from? It comes from Latin dilutus, and was adopted directly into English (1550s).
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.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient dilutus "washed away", past participle of 'diluere', to wash away.
- Stage 2 · English · 1550s dilute "to wash away", the chemical sense followed.