erratum

Where does the word "erratum" come from? It comes from Latin errātum, and was adopted directly into English (1580s).

Erratum’s story begins in Latin: errātum meant “mistake.” 'a mistake', from 'errāre', to wander. It reached English by 1580s as erratum. Printers added lists of 'errata' at the ends of books to correct mistakes. Today, erratum means an error in printing or writing.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient errātum "mistake", 'a mistake', from 'errāre', to wander.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1580s erratum "printing error", printers added lists of 'errata' at the ends of books to correct mistakes.