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Where does the word "feline" come from? It comes from Latin felinus, and was adopted directly into English (1680s).
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Where does the word "feline" come from? It comes from Latin felinus, and was adopted directly into English (1680s).
Feline’s story begins in Latin: felinus meant “of a cat.” From 'feles', cat. It reached English by 1680s as feline. Zoologists named the cat family Felidae. Today, feline means relating to cats.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient felinus "of a cat", from 'feles', cat.
- Stage 2 · English · 1680s feline "catlike", zoologists named the cat family Felidae.