duct

Where does the word "duct" come from? It comes from Latin ducere, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Duct’s story begins in Latin: ducere meant “to lead.” The root of 'conduct', 'produce' and 'educate'. Within Latin, it grew into ductus by ancient. A leading, a channel, from ducere. It reached English by 1600s as duct. Settled as the English word for a tube or channel that carries liquid, air, or cables. Today, duct means a tube or channel through which a liquid, gas, or cables pass.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient ducere "to lead", the root of 'conduct', 'produce' and 'educate'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient ductus "a leading, a channel", a leading, a channel, from ducere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s duct "a tube or channel carrying liquid, air, or cables", settled as the English word for a tube or channel that carries liquid, air, or cables.