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Fetus

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an unborn offspring

Where does the word "fetus" come from? It comes from Latin fetus, adopted directly into English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
fetus
Latin · ancient
"offspring, bearing"
from 'feta', pregnant
2
Stage 2 of 2
fetus
English · 1300s
"unborn young"
the British spelling 'foetus' came from a false etymology
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Read the full story

Fetus’s story begins in Latin: fetus meant “offspring, bearing.” From 'feta', pregnant. It reached English by 1300s as fetus. The British spelling 'foetus' came from a false etymology. Today, fetus means an unborn offspring.