Etymology Map
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Distance

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the space between two points

Where does the word "distance" come from? It comes from Latin distantia, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
distantia
Latin · ancient
"standing apart"
'dis-' plus 'stare', to stand
2
Stage 2 of 3
distance
Old French · medieval
"distance, discord"
also meant quarrel
3
Stage 3 of 3
distance
English · 1300s
"discord; space between"
'keep your distance' dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Distance’s story begins in Latin: distantia meant “standing apart.” 'dis-' plus 'stare', to stand. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as distance. Also meant quarrel. It reached English by 1300s as distance. 'keep your distance' dates from the 1500s. Today, distance means the space between two points.