energy

Where does the word "energy" come from? It comes from Greek energeia, passing through Late Latin and French before entering English (medieval).

Energy’s story begins in Greek: energeia meant “activity, operation.” Literally "activity" or "operation", from "ergon" (work). By ancient, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as energia. Aristotle used 'energeia' for activity or actuality; the physics sense was defined by Thomas Young in 1807. From there it passed into French as energie by medieval. Carried the concept into French. It reached English by medieval as energy. Later adopted as the physics term for the capacity to do work. Today, energy means the capacity to do work or produce change, or physical vigor.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient energeia "activity, operation", literally "activity" or "operation", from "ergon" (work).
2. Stage 2 · Late Latin · ancient energia "force of expression, vigor", Aristotle used 'energeia' for activity or actuality; the physics sense was defined by Thomas Young in 1807.
3. Stage 3 · French · medieval energie "vigor, force", carried the concept into French.
4. Stage 4 · English · medieval energy "the capacity to do work; vigor", later adopted as the physics term for the capacity to do work.