edit

Where does the word "edit" come from? It comes from Latin edere, passing through Latin before entering English (1791).

Edit’s story begins in Latin: edere meant “to give out, to publish.” To give out, to publish, from ex- (out) and dare (to give). Within Latin, it grew into editor by ancient. One who puts forth or publishes, from edere. It reached English by 1791 as edit. Formed as a back-formation from editor, for preparing a work for publication. Today, edit means to prepare or revise written, audio, or visual material for publication.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient edere "to give out, to publish", to give out, to publish, from ex- (out) and dare (to give).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient editor "one who publishes", one who puts forth or publishes, from edere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1791 edit "to prepare a written work for publication", formed as a back-formation from editor, for preparing a work for publication.