era

Where does the word "era" come from? It comes from Late Latin aera, and was adopted directly into English (1610s).

Era’s story begins in Late Latin: aera meant “counters for calculation.” Plural of 'aes', copper or brass: the number counted with copper counters, then a fixed date. It reached English by 1610s as era. The Spanish 'era' dating system used 38 BC as its start. Today, era means a long and distinct period of history.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient aera "counters for calculation", plural of 'aes', copper or brass: the number counted with copper counters, then a fixed date.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1610s era "epoch", the Spanish 'era' dating system used 38 BC as its start.