during

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

During’s story begins in Latin: durus meant “hard.” Hard, giving rise to durare (to last). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as durant. Lasting, present participle of durer (to last, from durare). It reached English by 1300s as during. Settled as the English word for throughout the course of a period of time. Today, during means throughout the course of or at some point within a period of time.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient durus "hard", hard, giving rise to durare (to last).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval durant "lasting", lasting, present participle of durer (to last, from durare).
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s during "throughout the course of a period of time", settled as the English word for throughout the course of a period of time.