Etymology Map
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Facsimile

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an exact copy, especially of writing or a picture

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

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

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.