fuel

Where does the word "fuel" come from? It comes from Latin focus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Fuel’s story begins in Latin: focus meant “hearth.” The root of 'focus', originally a fireplace. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as fouaille. A right to take firewood. It reached English by 1300s as fuel. 'fuel' for engines dates from the 1800s. Today, fuel means material burned to produce heat or power.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient focus "hearth", the root of 'focus', originally a fireplace.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval fouaille "firewood", a right to take firewood.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s fuel "firewood", 'fuel' for engines dates from the 1800s.