Etymology Map
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Eliminate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to remove completely

Where does the word "eliminate" come from? It comes from Latin eliminare, adopted directly into English (1560s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
eliminare
Latin · ancient
"to thrust out of doors"
'e-', out, plus 'limen', threshold
2
Stage 2 of 2
eliminate
English · 1560s
"to expel"
sports 'elimination' rounds date from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Eliminate’s story begins in Latin: eliminare meant “to thrust out of doors.” 'e-', out, plus 'limen', threshold. It reached English by 1560s as eliminate. Sports 'elimination' rounds date from the 1900s. Today, eliminate means to remove completely.