dynamic

Where does the word "dynamic" come from? It comes from Greek dynamis, passing through French before entering English (1800s).

Dynamic’s story begins in Greek: dynamis meant “power, force.” Power or force, the root of anything full of energy. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in French as dynamique. Leibniz coined 'dynamique' in the 1690s for his science of forces. It reached English by 1800s as dynamic. Settled as the word for anything energetic or forceful. Today, dynamic means characterized by constant change, activity, or force.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient dynamis "power, force", power or force, the root of anything full of energy.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1700s dynamique "relating to forces producing motion", Leibniz coined 'dynamique' in the 1690s for his science of forces.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1800s dynamic "characterized by constant change or force", settled as the word for anything energetic or forceful.