Etymology Map
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Fuel

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means material burned to produce heat or power

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

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

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.