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Where does the word "extra" come from? It comes from Latin extra, and was adopted directly into English (1650s).
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Where does the word "extra" come from? It comes from Latin extra, and was adopted directly into English (1650s).
Extra’s story begins in Latin: extra meant “outside, beyond.” An adverb from 'exter', outside; the same root as 'external' and 'extreme'. It reached English by 1650s as extra. Probably shortened from 'extraordinary'; later a film extra. Today, extra means added to an existing amount; a minor actor in crowd scenes.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient extra "outside, beyond", an adverb from 'exter', outside; the same root as 'external' and 'extreme'.
- Stage 2 · English · 1650s extra "additional", probably shortened from 'extraordinary'; later a film extra.