extract

Where does the word "extract" come from? It comes from Latin extrahere, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Extract’s story begins in Latin: extrahere meant “to draw out.” To draw out, from ex- (out) and trahere (to draw). It reached English by 1400s as extract. Settled as the English word for removing something, especially with effort. Today, extract means to remove or take out something, typically with effort or force.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient extrahere "to draw out", to draw out, from ex- (out) and trahere (to draw).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s extract "to remove or take out something, especially with effort", settled as the English word for removing something, especially with effort.