express

Where does the word "express" come from? It comes from Latin exprimere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Express’s story begins in Latin: exprimere meant “to press out.” To press out, from ex- (out) and premere (to press). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as expresser. Carried into French for squeezing something out or stating clearly. It reached English by 1300s as express. Settled as the English word for conveying thoughts or feelings. Today, express means to convey thoughts or feelings, or something sent or done rapidly.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient exprimere "to press out", to press out, from ex- (out) and premere (to press).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval expresser "to squeeze out, to state clearly", carried into French for squeezing something out or stating clearly.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s express "to convey thoughts or feelings in words or actions", settled as the English word for conveying thoughts or feelings.