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Where does the word "exhaust" come from? It comes from Latin exhaustus, and was adopted directly into English (1530s).
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Where does the word "exhaust" come from? It comes from Latin exhaustus, and was adopted directly into English (1530s).
Exhaust’s story begins in Latin: exhaustus meant “drained out.” Past participle of 'exhaurire', to draw off water. It reached English by 1530s as exhaust. Car 'exhausts' date from the 1800s. Today, exhaust means to drain of energy; waste gases.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient exhaustus "drained out", past participle of 'exhaurire', to draw off water.
- Stage 2 · English · 1530s exhaust "to draw out", car 'exhausts' date from the 1800s.