Etymology Map
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Feline

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means relating to cats

Where does the word "feline" come from? It comes from Latin felinus, adopted directly into English (1680s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
felinus
Latin · ancient
"of a cat"
from 'feles', cat
2
Stage 2 of 2
feline
English · 1680s
"catlike"
zoologists named the cat family Felidae
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Read the full story

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.