Etymology Map
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Edifice

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a large imposing building

Where does the word "edifice" come from? It comes from Latin aedificium, adopted directly into English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
aedificium
Latin · ancient
"building"
'aedes', dwelling, plus 'facere', to make; the root of 'edify'
2
Stage 2 of 2
edifice
English · 1300s
"building"
came into English through French 'édifice'
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Read the full story

Edifice’s story begins in Latin: aedificium meant “building.” 'aedes', dwelling, plus 'facere', to make; the root of 'edify'. It reached English by 1300s as edifice. Came into English through French 'édifice'. Today, edifice means a large imposing building.