facsimile

Where does the word "facsimile" come from? It comes from Latin fac simile, and was adopted directly into English (1660s).

Facsimile’s story begins in Latin: fac simile meant “make like.” 'make it similar', from 'facere', to make, and 'similis', like. It reached English by 1660s as facsimile. First an exact copying by hand; shortened to 'fax' in the 1940s for pictures sent by wire. Today, facsimile means an exact copy, especially of writing or a picture.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient fac simile "make like", 'make it similar', from 'facere', to make, and 'similis', like.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1660s facsimile "exact copy", first an exact copying by hand; shortened to 'fax' in the 1940s for pictures sent by wire.